Coronavirus Hits Guest at Hong Kong IPO
The risk of large gatherings continues to loom large as one guest who attended a recent listing ceremony at the Hong Kong stock exchange was tested positive for coronavirus.
The infected person was attending the listing ceremony of Hong Kong-based conglomerate SG Group, according to a spokesperson for the bourse who confirmed the case without naming the individual.
In addition to deep cleaning of the area, the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing is contacting every attendee of the event held last week, adding that its CEO Charles Li Xiaojia was not in attendance.
«The health and safety of our employees and guests remain our top priority. We will continue to monitor developments and review our arrangements as required,» an HKEX spokesperson said.
Social Distancing
Without government discouragement such as rival financial hub Singapore’s ban on public gatherings of more than 10, such ceremonies in Hong Kong continue to increase the risk of infection.
But a cutback in public gatherings and physical gong-banging need not result in IPO slowdowns. Following the footsteps of similar moves made through the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses, a Chinese biotech firm recently completed its Hong Kong-based IPO in full digital form from investor presentations to the listing ceremony.
