在致命的武漢肺炎病毒爆發後，已在社區蔓延，香港已有15宗確診。林鄭政府拒絕了醫護要求高關閉所有從中國入境點，今日數千名香港醫務人員開始了為期五天的罷工。
「醫管局員工陣線」前日（1日）投票，99%通過若港府不封關以免新型冠狀病毒武漢肺炎疫情進一步擴散，而與醫管局高層談判破裂的話將罷工。陣線原定昨日下午與醫管局管理層會面，並要求特首林鄭月娥出席，但遭林鄭拒絕見面而取消三方談判，今日開始進行5日的罷工行動。
「醫管局員工陣線」今日發起針對非緊急服務的首階段罷工行動。在瑪麗醫院，工會在醫院外天橋擺設街站，讓參與罷工的醫護人員簽到，登記資料，一度排長龍。
部分人戴上白絲帶及向途人派發「罷工 醫護五大訴求 防疫缺一不可」單張。電梯門上噴上「齊心抗疫」，牆上寫上「時代革命」。
有參與行動的內科醫生說，決定罷工前有很大掙扎，擔心影響對病人的服務，期望政府盡快回應訴求，可回到工作崗位。
工會早前預計今日有3000名來自普通科門診及專職醫療等的會員參與罷工，如當局不回應包括全面封關等訴求，會再動員另外6000名會員於明日至星期五罷工 。
Thousands of Hong Kong medical professionals began a five-day strike Monday after the government refused their demand to shut all entry points from China amid a deadly virus outbreak on the mainland. The virus has spread in the community and 15 cases have been confirmed in Hong Kong.
Talks between the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance and the Hospital Authority failed after the city’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam refused to attend negotiations on Sunday.
The Hospital Authority on Sunday warned that about half of all pre-booked operations at public hospitals would have to be postponed if the strike goes ahead.
The Hospital Authority Employees Alliance today launched its first strike against non-emergency services. At Queen Mary Hospital, the union set up a station outside the hospital to allow the participating medical staff to sign in and register. There was a long queue at one time.
Some people wore white ribbons and distributed to passers-by a pamphlet entitled “Strikes – 5 Demands for Medical Care”. The elevator door was sprayed with “United to Fight the Epidemic”, and “Revolution of our Times” was written on the wall.
Participating physicians said that they had struggled before deciding to strike and feared that it would affect the service to patients. They hope that the government will respond to their demands as soon as possible so they can return to work.
About 99% of the 3000 union members who voted Saturday backed the strike. The union had expected that 3,000 members from general out-patient clinics and full-time medical services would participate in the strike today. If the authorities do not respond to requests including comprehensive border closure, they will mobilize another 6,000 members to strike tomorrow to Friday.
