Hong Kong Covid Cases Top 2,000, Set to Double Again

The transcript discusses the surge in COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, leading to hospitals reaching capacity and urging asymptomatic individuals to isolate at home. Vaccination rates, especially among the elderly, are low, prompting restrictions to buy time for increasing inoculation. The corporate sector is affected, with companies relocating executives due to restrictions. The approval of Pfizer's antiviral drug by Beijing suggests a potential shift in China's COVID-19 strategy, moving towards living with the virus. This could save costs and indicate a more flexible approach, as China's own mRNA vaccines are not yet ready.

What implications does the approval of antiviral drugs have for China's COVID-19 strategy?

Discuss the potential economic impacts of the COVID-19 restrictions mentioned in the text.