Hong Kong: Government to place all mainland China arrivals into home quarantine due to 2019-nCoV February 5 /update 7

Event

On Wednesday, February 5, Hong Kong authorities announced that all arrivals from mainland China will be put into home quarantine for 14 days, in efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This decision comes amid government encouragement for work-from-home initiatives and measures asking civil servants to remain at home until at least Sunday, February 16.

Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.

Context

As of February 5, Hong Kong has confirmed 18 cases of 2019-nCoV. Chief Executive Lam implemented the maximum health warning level in Hong Kong on January 25 after the city reported five confirmed 2019-nCoV cases.

The first case of 2019-nCoV was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in more than 24 countries and territories worldwide beside China, as well as in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Virus screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the ongoing novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak is a "public health emergency of international concern."

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Individuals traveling to Hong Kong are advised to confirm flight reservations, keep abreast of the situation, and contact their nearest embassy for further details. Individuals are advised to take precautionary measures to reduce their risk of contracting the virus:

• Avoid all contact with animals (dead or alive); avoid eating animal products that are undercooked; avoid all markets where animals are sold
• Avoid all close contact with people displaying symptoms of the disease (e.g. difficulties breathing)
• Frequently wash hands and wear a face mask
• Adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments
• Travelers returning from China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid spreading the disease.
• Travelers returning from China developing pneumonia symptoms are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid spread of the disease