The COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong: Exploring the Gaps in COVID-19 Prevention Practices from a Social Justice Framework.

This article examines gaps in COVID-19 prevention practices affecting ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, using a social justice framework to identify systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups such as South and Southeast Asians from low-income households, foreign domestic workers, asylum seekers, and refugees. Based on interviews with fifteen social service providers, six key issues emerged: insufficient mental health support, ongoing perceived discrimination, language barriers in accessing services, lack of reliable information channels, limited access to advanced technology, and the unavailability of appropriately sized surgical masks for individuals with cultural or religious attire (e.g., beards, hijabs). The study highlights the need for culturally responsive policies and collaborative efforts among stakeholders to promote equity and social justice in pandemic prevention measures for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.