Authorities in Hong Kong have ordered its 7.5 million citizens to undergo mandatory COVID testing as its health system buckles under surging case numbers. The territory that has come more and more under Chinese control has been attempting to follow Beijing’s ‘COVID-zero’ policy, but Omicron has complicated matters… Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam says lockdowns are “not realistic”, so residents will be required to take 3 rounds of PCR tests at weekly intervals, and rapid antigen tests in between. As a result, it’s expected that many Hongkongers will have to stay in their tiny homes in the coming weeks… Speaking of isolation, that’s one of the COVID requirements set to be scrapped by England today in a world-first move. As part of UK PM Boris Johnson’s ‘living with COVID’ plan, all remaining restrictions will be lifted. Those with COVID have been urged to exercise the same caution as if they had the flu.