Bars, nightclubs and saunas have been ordered to close again at midnight on Wednesday as the authorities struggle to contain a new wave of coronavirus infections. But as Richard Pyne reports, the government isn't imposing a blanket ban on all dance classes and schools even though they're the source of nearly 190 recent Covid-19 cases:

Although there was no ban on dance classes in the latest anti-epidemic measures, dozens of additional Covid-19 infections were linked on Wednesday to the dance studio cluster. Health authorities also warned that it's likely to swell further, as Priscilla Ng reports:

The bar industry has reacted angrily to the government's order that all pubs, nightclubs and saunas must close again from midnight on Wednesday as Hong Kong battles a fourth wave of Covid-19. The director of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, Anthea Cheung, said bars have been unfairly targeted. She told Timmy Sung that with this closure likely to be extended over the Christmas period, it could spell the end for up to half of Hong Kong's 1,400 licensed bars:

The president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, Simon Wong, says even though restaurants can remain open for now, some businesses that rely on banquets may be hit hard by a new 40-person limit to be imposed from Thursday. He spoke to Timmy Sung:

Health Secretary Sophia Chan announced on Wednesday that restaurant, hotels and gyms must join the government's coronavirus contact-tracing app by December 3. Chief Executive Carrie Lam had said the Leave Home Safe app could be made mandatory at such establishments. But she said the public won't be forced to use it, and people can just choose not to go out if they don't want to be tracked. Damon Pang reports:

The president of the Hong Kong Medical Association, Choi Kin, says the orders to close bars, nightclubs and saunas and on contact tracing won’t be enough to head off the latest wave of coronavirus infections. Eighty new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on Tuesday, 54 of them involving people who'd recently been to dance studios. Choi told Annemarie Evans the latest anti-epidemic measures do little to ensure surging infections elsewhere in the world are kept at bay:

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, has dismissed suggestions that the Policy Address she'll deliver on Wednesday was put together by Beijing. It was originally scheduled for mid-October, but Lam unexpectedly announced its postponement with just two days to go, to give her time to travel to the capital to ask for help with Hong Kong's economic recovery. But on Tuesday, she sought to temper expectations for the policy blueprint, saying many China-related initiatives can't be put in place immediately, and most won't involve any new spending. Mike Weeks asked Allan Zeman, the chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong group, what he expects from Lam’s address:

Chief Executive Carrie Lam revealed on Tuesday that her fourth Policy Address will include 200 new measures to serve the people, many of which won't need public financing as the government is facing a projected deficit of over HK$300 billion this year. RTHK understands that one of its key planks will be a scheme to subsidise jobs in the Greater Bay Area to make them more attractive to young Hong Kong people. Damon Pang reports:

The third suspect to be charged with violating the national security law has been remanded in custody after appearing in court. Ma Chun-man is accused of inciting secession by allegedly chanting slogans calling for Hong Kong independence. Cecil Wong has the story:

A High Court jury has heard conflicting views on the character and state of mind of University of Hong Kong professor Cheung Kie-chung in closing arguments at his murder trial. He's accused of deliberately killing his 52-year-old wife, whose decomposing body was found inside a suitcase inside a wooden box at his office in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Priscilla Ng reports:

Operation Santa Claus 2020 is underway and is raising money for 19 worthy causes. One of them is an organisation providing pre- and post-natal care to migrant mothers, especially domestic workers. Radio 3’s Raphael Blet spoke to Catherine Gurtin from Pathfinders about the project: