Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam has called for calm after residents emptied supermarkets, stocking up on produce ahead of reports of compulsory mass Covid-19 testing and rumours of a city-wide lockdown.
Local media reported compulsory Covid testing would start after March 17, sparking concerns many people will be forced to isolate and families with members testing positive would be separated.
Lam appealed to the public “not to fall prey to rumours to avoid unnecessary fears being stirred”, with the supply of food and goods remaining normal, according to a statement.
