01 February,2022 09:19 AM IST | Hong Kong | Agencies
A woman takes a selfie in front of orchids at a florist’s shop in the Prince Edward area of Hong Kong on Sunday ahead of the Lunar New Year on February 1. Pic/AFP
A top Hong Kong official resigned Monday for attending a birthday party with about 200 guests in early January as the city was battling a coronavirus surge. At least one guests later tested positive. Secretary of Home Affairs Caspar Tsui was among several officials and lawmakers ordered to quarantine after the party, which was held for Witman Hung, a delegate to China's legislature.
Tsui said in a statement issued Monday afternoon that he had not "set the best example during the recent outbreak." His resignation came as Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam reproached officials who attended the party, saying they should "know better". At the time of the gathering, health officials had urged the public to avoid large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. "I made the wrong decision to attend a banquet on January 3 and behaved in an inappropriate manner when all efforts should have been devoted to controlling the spread of the virus," Tsui said. "I will take responsibility for my actions, and I have therefore decided to resign from the position of Secretary for Home Affairs."
Tsui's announcement came hours ahead of a news conference by Lam, who announced results of a disciplinary probe into officials who attended the party. "His conduct has brought the Hong Kong government into disrepute and he and his actions have caused a negative perception by the general public in relation to the conduct of principal officials," Lam said. The authorities said Tsui did not use the government contact tracing app when entering the restaurant, which is mandatory under coronavirus regulations. He also failed to wear a mask when talking to people, despite rules that stipulate masks be worn when not eating or drinking.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has received a long-awaited report from an investigation into lockdown-breaching government parties, the government said Monday. The Cabinet Office said senior civil servant Sue Gray "has provided an update on her investigations to the Prime Minister." Johnson's office has promised the report will be published "swiftly," and that the prime minister will address Parliament about its findings.
The truckers protest against coronavirus restrictions continues in Canada's capital, Ottawa, for the second day in a row, reported Sputnik. "
10,886,862
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours
37,50,78,356
Total no. of cases worldwide
56,65,252
Total no. of deaths worldwide
Source: WHO/Johns Hopkins
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