• People queue at a mobile specimen collection station for COVID-19 testing in Hong Kong's Mongkok district on Thursday. Hong Kong's current social distancing rules aren't enough to bring the city's record-setting COVID-19 wave under control, and nearly 1,000 residents may die by mid-June if there aren't changes, according to researchers. | AFP-JIJI
    People queue at a mobile specimen collection station for COVID-19 testing in Hong Kong's Mongkok district on Thursday. Hong Kong's current social distancing rules aren't enough to bring the city's record-setting COVID-19 wave under control, and nearly 1,000 residents may die by mid-June if there aren't changes, according to researchers. | AFP-JIJI
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Hong Kong is doubling down on a “COVID zero” strategy that has failed almost everywhere else, battering its economy and threatening its status as an international financial center just as much of the world learns to live with the virus.

While countries from the U.S. to Australia are winding down pandemic restrictions, Hong Kong is imposing its toughest measures since COVID-19 first emerged more than two years ago. From Thursday, gatherings of more than two people in public are banned, while no more than two households can mix in private. Violators face a fine of at least HK$5,000 (¥74,000).

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