Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam apologises for long Covid testing queues as new restrictions bite

Apology comes as city enforces new measures including closure of hairdressers and addition of malls to vaccine pass system

Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, has said she is deeply sorry and anxious" about the lengthy wait for residents to get tested or enter isolation facilities after a record number of new coronavirus cases left authorities scrambling.

Hong Kong's daily Covid-19 infections nearly doubled to a record 1,161 cases on Wednesday as the global financial hub battles a rapid surge that could pose the biggest test yet of its dynamic zero" policy.