The possibility that India can move towards lifting of lockdown has set off an intense debate among experts and general public about the way forward. Many models are being discussed. And, this discussion is not limited to India alone. Europe and America too are debating the possible ways to come out of lockdowns.
The Hong Kong model is attracting attention the world over especially since an analysis of its efficacy was published in The Lancet in mid-April. Hong Kong was among the first countries to import novel coronavirus infections from China. Hong Kong’s first case was detected on January 23.
On March 2, Hong Kong recorded its 100th case. Around the same time, India started recording a fresh wave of novel coronavirus cases -previous cases had been recorded in January-end when three students returned from Wuhan to Kerala.
Today, with a population of 75 lakh (comparable to Bengaluru and much more than that of Ahmedabad, Jaipur or Indore), Hong Kong has restricted the number of coronavirus infections to 1,038 with only four deaths. And, Hong Kong did not go for a total lockdown like India or China, its titular master.
Hong Kong adopted a policy of intense surveillance of the novel coronavirus infection. The Hong Kong model is a combination of targeted tracing of coronavirus patients, effective quarantine of contacts, and social distancing dutifully practised by the public.