Please note that this is SwedChams second update on the Novel Coronavirus, to read the first update, click here.
Dear Members and Friends of SwedCham,
This is our second update regarding how our activities, and those of our members are affected by the ongoing Novel Coronavirus outbreak. As per the Hong Kong government’s update on February 10, the number of cases in Hong Kong stood at 36, including one which sadly resulted in death. Some of the recent cases appear to have contracted the virus locally, which has led to concerns about a local outbreak. The coming few weeks may be critical for the future trajectory of the disease in Hong Kong.
As previously reported, schools will remain closed at least until March 2. Government employees are so far as possible working from home, and the same goes for staff at many private companies, including a significant portion of our member companies. Hong Kong can be said to be in “semi-lockdown mode”.
The government has also announced mandatory quarantine for two weeks for all arrivals from the Mainland effective February 8, 2020. This measure is expected to reduce travel across the Hong Kong-Mainland border to extremely low levels.
At SwedCham, we will this week host a webinar Experience Sharing Lunch. We are hopeful that this format will appeal to the many members who are unable to attend in-person meetings in Hong Kong for the time being. The webinar will be held on Friday, February 14, at 12.30. Please see details here, and register as soon as you can. Attendance will be capped at 15 persons. If this “experiment” turns out well, we will continue with more virtual meetings.
SwedCham is in the process of reaching out to members via email. If you haven’t already heard from us, you will in the next few days. Also, if there is anything you would like us to assist with, please let us know! In times like these we have to stick together!
As before, please find some useful links, for important updates
- Hong Kong Department of Health
- World Health Organisation
- For information in Swedish, please check the website of the Consulate General of Sweden in Hong Kong as well as Frågor och svar om nytt coronavirus 2019-nCoV (Folkhälsomyndigheten)
- The same Q&A at the Public Health Agency of Sweden can be found in English
//SwedCham Office
