Paul Yip Siu-fai, founding director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, said many elderly people are used to daily activities such as going to public libraries for reading newspapers or swimming in public pools. They have to stop the activities due to closure of venues under Leisure and Cultural Services Department, he said.

It is possible for authorities to reopen some of the facilities with restrictions imposed, he suggested. Public beaches can reopen in slots, and the requirement to wear masks in country parks can be relaxed.

"It's of course easiest to close everything. But it brings other problems," he said on Sunday.

The center issued last month an "extremely-high" level alert based on estimates of suicides, with researchers saying those aged over 65 are at highest risk.

The number of suicides increased from an average of 1.8 per day to the highest of 4.05 in the week between March 11 to 18. The number fell to 3.05 recently, but remains at an alarming level.
Analysis shows most of those who committed suicides were mid-aged or elderly people, and the later was connected to infection of Covid-19.

Yip said some elderly people refused visits by their children to lower infection risks. But there are options for children to visit their parents safely, such as to get vaccinated and to undergo speed tests before the meetings. They can also meet in outdoor areas, during which they can skip meals and avoid taking down their masks.

Elderly people can be cheered up easily, said Yip who shared the joy of him meeting his grandchild.

On the other hand, former head of the Hong Kong Observatory Lee Boon-ying also questioned the decision to close beaches.

“Can't figure out why beaches are off limits while people are allowed to road malls and fill restaurants. Beaches are exposed and ventilated by natural breezes. Where'd you go to avoid getting Covid infected, beach or mall?” He wrote on his Facebook.