Hong Kong, Sep 23 (BUS): Hong Kong will scrap its controversial COVID-19 hotel quarantine policy for all arrivals from Sept 26, more than 2.5 years after it was first implemented, in a long-awaited move for many residents and businesses in the hub. financial.
All international arrivals will be able to return home or to accommodations of their choosing, the government said on Friday, but will have to self-monitor for three days after entering China’s special administrative centre.
“We are a one-way goal to allow people to come with more convenience and allow them to go about their activities with maximum potential,” CEO John Lee said at a press briefing.
People will be allowed to go to work or school but will not be allowed into bars or restaurants for three days. The pre-flight PCR test that was required for travelers to Hong Kong 48 hours prior to flight will be replaced by a rapid antigen test.
The former British colony is out of the world outside mainland China in imposing hotel quarantines on international arrivals, in line with the country’s “dynamic zero” COVID strategy.
Business groups, diplomats and many residents have criticized the city’s COVID-19 rules, saying they threaten Hong Kong’s competitiveness and position as a global financial center.
All international arrivals currently spend three days in a self-propelled hotel followed by four days of self-monitoring where they are allowed to move around the city. The hotel’s quarantine was up to three weeks before it was gradually eased earlier this year.
The rules have affected Hong Kong’s economy since early 2020 and sparked a mass exodus of both expatriates and local families that began with Beijing’s efforts to exercise control and limit freedoms. According to government figures, about 113,000 people have left since mid-2021.
Dozens of flights have been grounded to and from Hong Kong, which used to be one of the world’s busiest and most efficient airports.
The city has lost its status as a global aviation hub due to China’s COVID-free policy, the head of the IATA airline group said this week.
Hong Kong still bans public groups of more than four people, and masks are mandatory for everyone, including children under two years old, who must also wear them during school.
Several events have been canceled or postponed since 2020, although Hong Kong plans to host a major financial conference and international rugby sevens in November. Bankers said travel without quarantine is a prerequisite for attending the conference.
Both events are widely seen as an attempt to show Hong Kong can resume business as usual.
Lee’s comments come as the city’s rugby union chief announced on Friday that revelers at the Sevens this year will be able to drink but eating is still under discussion with the government.
Staff and media will need to wear protective gear while spectators will need to wear masks unless they are drinking and check a vaccine entry pass before entering the stadium, according to CEO Robbie McCrobe.
“We don’t think these are big barriers to enjoying a day in the Sevens,” CEO McCrobe said, and said the stadium would have around 30,000 fans with a capacity of 85% under current government rules.
McCrube said any team with five or more cases of coronavirus would have to withdraw from the tournament.
HSBC and major city airline Cathay Pacific (0293.HK), are the main sponsors of Sevens.
Rival financial hub Singapore is hosting a slew of high-profile conferences this month that has seen a boom in business for hotels and restaurants, while Taiwan and Japan this week announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on international travelers that are set to take effect in October.
Hong Kong has reported more than 1.7 million COVID-19 infections and 9,934 deaths since the pandemic began.
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