Two senior Hong Kong officials contract Covid-19

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang and Director of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer Eric Chan contracted Covid-19.

Chan will become the city’s number two official on July 1, when incoming leader John Lee takes the helm. Both are now in isolation.

“Mr. Tsang and Mr. Chan last went to work on June 22 and June 20, respectively. They wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work, including rapid antigen tests performed daily with negative results. They have no recent travel history,” a government news release said Thursday night.

As of Thursday, Hong Kong’s top officials have managed to evade contracting the disease.

Customs chief Louise Ho, Tsang’s wife, was identified as a close contact but has tested negative, the government said, adding that the offices of the two officials will be disinfected.

The two men are likely to miss the July 1 handover anniversary festivities and Lee’s swearing-in as leader.

It is unclear whether Lee or incumbent leader Carrie Lam may be close contacts of the infected officials. HKFP has contacted their offices for comment.