Hong Kong politicians sent to quarantine after party

Dozens of senior Hong Kong officials and politicians were ordered into quarantine on Friday after health officials discovered a second preliminary coronavirus case at a birthday party attended by many of the city’s political elite.

“All the people present at the party need to be quarantined,” said Chuang Shuk-kwan from Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection.

Home affairs secretary Caspar Tsui was sent to the quarantine camp on Thursday after being deemed a close contact with a potential carrier.

By Friday, he was joined by four other politicians and immigration chief Au Ka-wang – all of whom attended a birthday party on Monday at a tapas restaurant.

“I offer my sincere apology to all people of Hong Kong. I have reflected on this incident and shall be more vigilant in future,” Au said in a statement.

He added he was at the restaurant for a short time and “left immediately after congratulating my friend without having a meal sitting down”.

“I feel I acted carelessly and I rather regret it,” lawmaker Duncan Chiu told local radio. “This has set a bad example.”

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said she was “very disappointed” in the large gathering of officials.

It was held to celebrate the birthday of Witman Hung, a member of China’s top lawmaking body, according to local media.