While viruses do not discriminate, the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic is dealing a harder blow to marginalised communities in the city. Ethnic minorities, for example, often have limited access to official information and news updates because of incomplete or delayed translation. Children with special needs, too, are having a more difficult time than others as support services shut down and therapy sessions come to a halt.

To help ethnic minorities counter the information asymmetry, Hong Kong Unison has produced four videos about COVID-19 prevention measures covering hand-washing, mask-wearing, drainage pipes and home quarantine, dubbed in English, Urdu and Nepali. In addition, Hong Kong Christian Service has released a one-pager containing quick tips on fighting the novel coronavirus at home in 10 languages, including Chinese, English, Bahasa Indonesia, Hindi, Nepali, Tagalog, Thai, Punjabi, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Meanwhile, Heep Hong Society also runs the app, “Touch and Swipe” for children with severe intellectual disabilities and limited bodily control to perform fun and easy physical activities at home. Developed by the Society’s physiotherapist team, the app features 10 games that incorporate elements of training in visual-motor control, auditory-motor control, basic cognition, social interaction and emotional development. Click the links below to find out more.

• Watch the videos made by Hong Kong Unison
• Read the tips from Hong Kong Christian Service
• Download the app developed by Heep Hong Society