Hong Kong violence shuts down transportation and commerce

For the first time since the United Kingdom stepped away from Hong Kong in 1997, the city’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam invoked emergency powers. The emergency powers includes the ban of face masks by demonstrators.

Lam characterized the night of extreme violence which saw the cities metro stations and commercial establishments set ablaze by some of the more extreme protesters. In addition, a 14 year-old boy was shot in Yuen Long by an off-duty police officer.

The metro system, which transports 5 million passengers suspended service. Transport to and from the airport is available via the “airport express train” which is operating a limited schedule. In the past protesters have targeted the airport and the express train. For this reason travelers should be mindful of the local situation prior to transiting from city to airport.

Reuters reports, hundreds returned to Hong Kong streets with masks marching through Causeway Bay, Sheung Shui and Tsim Sha Tsui districts.

We will continue to provide updates re Hong Kong via our daily Securely Travel Alerts as the situation warrants. Protests are expected to continue throughout the weekend and into Monday (a holiday in Hong Kong). With public transportation shutdown, Hong Kong’s commerce is paralyzed.