

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Janice Wong and Ian Pooler2020-03-27
Friday
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Selected audio segments:
China to bar entry to foreign residents
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The Foreign Ministry says China will block most foreign nationals from entering the mainland from Saturday, including those with valid visas and residence permits, to stem the spread of Covid-19. Entry by foreigners holding APEC business cards will also be suspended, as will a number of transit visas and visa-free arrangements. As Robert Kemp reports, it's the latest in a series of measures announced on Thursday that also make it harder for Chinese citizens to travel overseas or return home.
Over 100 staff of bar company quarantined
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More than a hundred staff and band members from a company that manages bars in Wan Chai, Lan Kwai Fong and Tsim Sha Tsui have been sent to quarantine camps - after health officials considered them to be close contacts of confirmed Covid-19 patients. Hong Kong has reported 43 new cases, bringing the total to 453. Candice Wong reports.
Covid-19 testing at private clinics "smooth"
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It has been more than two weeks since the government expanded its laboratory test for the Covid-19 virus - to include patients at private clinics. Private doctors have been giving out specimen bottles to patients with symptoms - and they can drop them off at government clinics for further testing. Dr Henry Yeung, the president of the Hong Kong Doctor's Union, told Ian Pooler the testing was running smoothly:
No further evacuations planned from Hubei
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Around 560 Hong Kong residents have been flown back from virus-hit Hubei province on four government-chartered flights this week. The fourth and final flight landed on Thursday night. Some 3,000 Hong Kong residents remain in the province, but the Secretary for Mainland and Constitutional Affairs, Patrick Nip, did not say if further flights would be arranged. Nip also defended the government's home-quarantine order for the returnees, despite calls by a health expert that they should all be tested for Covid-19 and subject to stricter monitoring. Wendy Wong reports.
Pan-dems plan for Legco majority
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A group of pro-democracy activists say it is vital for the camp to coordinate its efforts as it seeks its first-ever majority in the 2020 Legislative Council elections. Pan-democrats hope to win three more geographical seats and four more in functional constituencies. Legal scholar, Benny Tai, is trying to coordinate among the hopefuls to ensure votes are not split. He told Janice Wong about the progress being made:
A third of low-income workers lose jobs
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A survey of 360 low-income people found more than a third of them have lost their jobs since the Lunar New Year. Oxfam Hong Kong and three other groups who conducted the study say the government needs to do more to help those in need. Jimmy Choi reports.
District councillor arrested under colonial-era law
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The chairwoman of the Central and Western District Council, Cheng Lai-king, has been arrested on suspicion of "seditious intention". The case has to do with the shooting of an Indonesian journalist by police during a protest last year that blinded her. Cheng has been released on bail. Timmy Sung reports.
HSBC to pause plan to slash jobs
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HSBC says it will pause its major job cut plan involving 35,000 jobs - due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Robert Kemp reports.