

Hong Kong Today
Description:
RTHK's morning news programme. Weekdays 6:30 - 8:00
Presenter:
Ben Tse and Samantha Butler2022-06-15
Wednesday
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Selected audio segments:
Bar, nightclub patrons need negative RAT
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Anyone wanting to enter a bar or nightclub from Thursday will have to show proof of a negative Covid rapid test. The move is intended to head off a rise in infections. The government also announced that families of people infected with the coronavirus who cannot properly isolate from them at home will be sent into quarantine along with the patient. The Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan, also revealed that more quarantine facilities may be reopened to house them. It comes as Hong Kong reported 849 infections on Tuesday, 97 of them imported. Natale Ching reports.
Zeman says RAT policy on bars is 'misguided'
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The chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong group, Alan Zeman, says bars and nightclubs are once again bearing the brunt of panic over rising Covid infections. He told Annemarie Evans that schools had probably had more clusters of cases compared to the bar trade, and forcing nightclub patrons to show a negative rapid test was a "misguided" policy.
Expert says rising infections not a concern
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A public health expert says he expects the number of Covid infections to rise in Hong Kong, but the situation is not concerning given that many people have immunity - either through vaccination or a previous infection. Vijay Dhanasekaran, an associate professor from the University of Hong Kong's School of Public Health, told Samantha Butler that even with the threat of Omicron subvariants entering the SAR, the city was ready to open up.
CE says epidemic measures to remain until handover
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The Chief Executive Carrie Lam says the government will do its utmost to ensure Hong Kong is ready for visits by any state leader for the anniversary of the handover, and this is partly why anti-epidemic measures will not be relaxed for now. At her last weekly media briefing, Lam also said she hoped Hong Kong would be relaxed and happy when July 1 comes around, as Maggie Ho reports.
No immediate ruling on civil service pay rises
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The Chief Executive Carrie Lam says her government will not make a decision on civil service pay, so as to leave more room for the next administration to manoeuvre. But it is a decision that is likely to be mired in controversy, as Priscilla Ng reports.
Police to mobilise reserve officers for handover
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Police Commissioner Raymond Siu says all his staff, including back-office workers and auxiliary officers, will be mobilised to take part in the security operation surrounding the anniversary of the handover and the swearing-in of Hong Kong's fifth chief executive. Timmy Sung reports.
Call for boost in youngsters' sex education
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The Family Planning Association says more should be done to better educate young people on sex and boost their ability to find and understand online information. It made the call after a survey it conducts every five years found that some secondary school students still have misconceptions about pregnancy, sexually-transmitted diseases and Aids. The association's executive director, Dr Mona Lam, told Joanne Wong that inadequate knowledge on such issues increased health risks for young people.
Jumbo Floating Restaurant bids Hong Kong farewell
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One of the icons of Southern District has made what is expected to be its final journey out of Aberdeen Harbour after 46 years. The Jumbo Floating Restaurant has been closed since 2020 because of the pandemic, and plans to donate it to Ocean Park stalled. With its future unclear, many people went to say a last goodbye to the Jumbo. Mike Weeks reports.
King Yin Lei mansion to become healthy living centre
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The historic red brick, green tiled monument on Stubbs Road is to be turned into a healthy living centre promoting Chinese medicine and pu'er tea. King Yin Lei is one of several sites that the government has awarded to organisations as part of its scheme to revitalise old buildings in Hong Kong. The think tank, Tianda Institute, will run the project. Its director Pauline Ng told Ben Tse about the historic building and their plans for it.
Russia promises safe passage from Severodonetsk
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The Russian army says it will give civilians a safe route out of the bombarded eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk for 12 hours on Wednesday. It is the first such attempt there; humanitarian corridors in other areas have often failed. Russia's defence ministry said convoys of people would be taken north to occupied territories. This is the only way out, now that Russian forces have destroyed all three bridges to the Donbas. Hundreds of civilians are reportedly trapped in a huge chemical plant in Severodonetsk, sheltering with Ukrainian soldiers still resisting the Russian assault. Annemarie Evans asked Paul Rogers, professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University in the UK, about the latest situation in Severodonetsk.