:0) I think my home may hold its line on value ...
Sars fear fuels exodus to HK parks and beaches
Monday, April 21, 2003
scmp.com
PETER MICHAEL and ELAINE WU
Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents flooded into country parks and beaches over the weekend in an unprecedented exodus from urban areas fuelled by fears over severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).
Ferry operators, park rangers and traffic police reported "monster crowds", with some figures doubling previous Easter holiday records.
Sai Kung Country Park, Lamma Island, the Peak, Clearwater Bay and Stanley were among the most popular destinations. "Most people seem to be trying to escape Sars," said April Lam, a Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry management executive.
The Lamma ferry service recorded 15,000 visitors on Saturday, up from the previous daily record of 8,000, she said. By 5pm yesterday, a further 13,700 people had made the journey to the outlying island.
"These are our largest numbers ever," said Ms Lam. "Mainly, people are making the trip because they know it is free of the Sars epidemic."
Sai Kung Country Park ranger Chee Kwan Lee described the crowds as phenomenal. He said total figures were not yet confirmed but were in the "thousands and thousands".
"All the car parks were full. Inside, the country park was crowded with people. Everywhere is full of people, and the hiking trails are crowded," he said. "There are lots of tour buses and they are all full.''
After being stuck at home many people had decided to "get out and get some fresh air", he said.
Susanna Ho Shuk-han, a spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Conservation, said: "During the past two days we've seen more people going to country parks than the Easter holiday from the year before."
Ms Ho said other reasons for the high turnout were the fine weather and drop in people travelling abroad.
She said it was hard to say how much atypical pneumonia had to do with people wanting to leave their homes and go outdoors.
Businessman James Griffiths, 32, and his girlfriend Idy Lam, 33, who had just enjoyed a day in the remote countryside, said they felt the trend was part of people "reclaiming their lives".
"You can't let this Sars outbreak rule your life," Mr Griffiths said. "Rather than sitting at home, you have to get out and enjoy what Hong Kong has to offer."
At Stanley, Mandy Pearson, 33, and her friend Krystal Merrow said a combination of blue skies, fresh air and boredom had brought people out to the beaches.
"This thing with the Sars has been too much. It has gone on for too long," said Ms Pearson.
"If you just look around you see fewer people wearing masks, it is getting hotter and people are fed up with being paranoid about the virus."
Stephanie Han, 38, who was enjoying a late breakfast with friends, said the outbreak had been a great leveller for Hong Kong.
"We are seeing politicians out on the streets sweeping up rubbish with the masses, even though some looked like they had never picked up a broom before.
"This is a good thing for Hong Kong, and the upside is everything is cleaner.
"You need to keep a sense of humour and optimism about these things. Maybe dengue fever and Sars are just part of life in Hong Kong." |
