【明報專訊】WITH the third wave of COVID-19 infections worsening rapidly in Hong Kong, the government announced measures last night (July 13) to tighten community anti-pandemic restrictions drastically. These measures are even stricter than those imposed during the peak of the second wave in March and April. Over the past few days, the number of new local infections of unknown origin has reached one new high after another. The situation in which the virus is spreading in the community is even more perilous than the first two waves. However, COVID-19 prevention fatigue seems to have retarded everyone's response. Many do not want the city to go back to the state of strict bans. Some have even become indifferent to fighting the pandemic and have obviously let their guard down. But as the city's outbreaks seem to be getting out of control, all parties still have to face the reality no matter how reluctant they are. All must overcome COVID-19 prevention fatigue and brace themselves for the new battle. In other parts of the world, many countries that successfully contained the disease have been hit by new outbreaks after resuming social and economic activities and have had to tighten anti-pandemic restrictions again. They are simply unable to break the pandemic cycle. Now Hong Kong seems to be also going round and round in this loop. The authorities must try all means to solve this difficulty, otherwise society and the economy will never be ''back to normal in a sustainable manner''.