Hong Kong leader defends health code plans to combat COVID

By ZEN SOO
Associated Press
HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s leader is defending the city’s plans to implement health codes that would more accurately restrict the movements of inbound travelers and people infected with COVID-19. At a news conference Tuesday, John Lee dismissed concerns that the system could be used as a political or social control tool. The city’s health code measures are being considered amid an increase of COVID-19 infections, with over 2,700 new cases reported Tuesday. The plans announced Monday sparked concerns over privacy and social control after Chinese media reported that mainland Chinese authorities used its health code system to prevent residents from attending a protest.