Hong Kong protests lose steam as citizens return to work

Civil servants were allowed to return to work in Hong Kong on Monday as pro-democracy activists seem to run out of steam, one week after the protests began.

Despite hundreds of protesters defying the deadline set by authorities to disperse by dawn, many have cleared a path way for civil servants to enter the government’s headquarters in the central area of Admiralty.

Hong Kong leader, Leung Chun-ying, had insisted that unless civil servants were allowed to return to work by Monday “all necessary actions to restore social order” would be taken.

The numbers of protesters fell sharply overnight into the hundreds amidst fears of an imminent crackdown by officials.

Student leaders hope that many more protesters will return to the site on Monday. Many have vowed to continue the occupation until their demands are met.