'General' remarks on Hong Kong's Covid strategy will not violate national security law, says gov't

Hong Kong’s government has said that discussion of the city’s Covid-19 strategy would not violate the national security law.

A spokesperson said in a press release on Sunday that “making general remarks and discussion is not illegal, and that dynamic ‘zero infection’ is the most effective way to fight against the epidemic and protect public health and safety.”

It comes after lawmaker Junius Ho claimed on Saturday that experts advocating a “live with Covid” approach – as in some western countries – may be violating the Beijing-imposed security law. He added that such measures adopted abroad were an effort to “start a biological war,” as the virus would spread further.

The recently re-elected pro-Beijing firebrand previously claimed a hit TV show showing same-sex romance was a violation of the security law.

Critics have long-criticised the security law as being vague and ill-defined, though the authorities say it has brought a return to stability and peace after the 2019 pro-democracy protests and unrest.

As of Sunday, Hong Kong has seen 14,024 cases of Covid-19 and 213 deaths.