CE outlines Covid task force roles and heads

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, on Monday announced the heads of five task forces, set up to tackle Hong Kong’s fast-growing Omicron outbreak; and the roles that each will play as they cooperate with the mainland.

In a statement issued in the early hours, Lam said the heads would co-ordinate with the central government and Guangdong authorities. She said the health secretary, Sophia Chan, would head up an epidemiologist task force – comprising the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority, and local experts. They are to liaise with mainland experts on pathology.

The secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, Erick Tsang, will be responsible for nucleic acid testing. Michael Wong, the development secretary, is to work with the mainland on the construction of treatment facilities; while Edward Yau, the commerce secretary, will ensure the delivery of medical supplies.

Meanwhile, the transport secretary, Frank Chan, will coordinate the supply of fresh food and other daily necessities into Hong Kong.

The plan to create the task forces was announced on Saturday by the Chief Secretary John Lee. It followed a meeting to discuss the Omicron outbreak, that was held the same day in Shenzhen between mainland officials and a Hong Kong delegation led by Lee.

As Chief Secretary, Lee will be responsible for co-ordinating the task forces and reporting to the Chief Executive.

In her statement, the CE also thanked mainland authorities for their help.