Hong Kong eases COVID quarantine rules for incoming travelers

HONG KONG, Aug. 8 (BUS): Hong Kong intends to shorten the COVID-19 hotel quarantine period for all arrivals to three days from seven, and take another step to phase out strict pandemic rules that have quarantined the Asian financial hub.

The city’s leader, John Lee, said at a news conference on Monday that the measures would be in effect from Friday.

Arrivals will need to self-monitor for another four days, during which time they will be barred from entering places such as restaurants and bars.

“We need to balance people’s livelihood with Hong Kong’s competitiveness to give society maximum momentum and economic vitality,” Lee said.

People in quarantine will be issued a red icon on the government-mandated app. This will change to a yellow icon once they leave quarantine, indicating that they may not enter crowded places.

The quarantine was previously for three weeks. Currently, all arrivals must spend at least a week in hotel quarantine, comply with orders for frequent testing, provide stool samples for children and fill out multiple forms.

Only a select number of hotels are available for quarantine.

Rooms are expensive and usually booked months in advance. Payment is made in advance and refunds are not permitted unless there is a change in government policy or flight cancellation.

Hong Kong’s competitiveness has been affected by the epidemic measures, business executives said, hoping that Lee, the city’s leader since July 1, will repeal quarantine rules.

City limits have been almost completely closed since 2020, as international arrivals face strict quarantine and testing measures. It is one of the last places in the world to still quarantine arrivals.

Lee pledged to reconnect Hong Kong to the mainland and the rest of the world. He suspended a rule in July banning single flights if they brought in passengers infected with the coronavirus, saying it had caused needless hassle and inconvenience to residents.

More than 100 flights have been banned this year, which is a huge disappointment for companies and residents to use them to travel easily and efficiently from the city.

Shares of leading Cathay Pacific airline jumped 3.5% after the announcement to HK$8.77, the largest daily percentage increase since June 28.

Cathy has been battered by the strict pandemic rules in Hong Kong over the past two years which have resulted in a 98% drop in passenger numbers.

The popular international rugby event is being held in Hong Kong from 4-6 November for the first time in more than three years. It was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic measures. Read more

The tournament, which is a draw for international visitors, is supposed to coincide with a major banking conference that month attended by top global executives and will be a sign that Hong Kong can resume business as usual.

Bankers said quarantine-free travel is a prerequisite for the event to occur.

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