Hong Kong intends to scrap the outstanding restrictions on inbound arrivals who test negative for Covid-19 from Wednesday, Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau said in a press conference.
Vaccinated overseas travelers will be allowed to enter local restaurants, bars, and other public venues that previously remained off-limits to them during the first three days of their journey to the financial hub.
“After arriving in Hong Kong, international arrivals don’t have any restrictions. So the same day they step off the aircraft, they are free to enter any premises”, the official said.
Following in China’s footsteps, the Hong Kong authorities will also scrap the LeaveHomeSafe mobile tracking app, which granted access to restaurants, gyms, clubs, and other public venues. However, a valid vaccine pass showing a complete vaccination cycle with three shots will remain necessary for public spaces, including restaurants.
The government will no longer require PCR tests from cross-border passengers entering the territory from mainland China and Macao, it said. According to the authorities, the move will positively affect the economic and social life in the country.
The amber code will remain the last restriction on international travelers. However, according to the updated rules, they will need to undergo a compulsory PCR test on arrival, one more on the second day of their stay, and rapid antigen testing for five days. Protective face masks are still required unless exercising.
The Health Secretary said the government has also scrapped the requirement for the infected patients isolated at home to wear an electronic tag. The officials also revealed the latest outcome from wastewater surveillance, according to which the current coronavirus wave has plateaued.
Lo also added that the healthcare system functions promptly despite the increased number of positive cases. The government reported 14,717 coronavirus cases on Monday, 704 of which were imported.
Hong Kong also seeks to re-open the border with mainland China before the Lunar New Year on January 22, but the officials said more information on that will follow. Nearly 80,000 new visitors entered Hong Kong in October, marking a monthly increase of 22%, the Tourism Authority reported earlier last month. However, it said that travelers from mainland China declined by 7% to 47,658 people compared to September.
The global financial hub has often faced criticism from residents, businesses, and diplomats over its ongoing coronavirus restrictions, citing competition concerns.
The former British territory has been stuck to a strict pandemic restriction policy and has remained effectively detached from the outside world since early 2020. The government has started easing the restriction gradually at the end of the summer, scrapping the required three-day hotel quarantine in September.
The decision to further ease the restrictions comes soon after neighboring mainland China announced the deactivation of its controversial travel tracing app.
The state-backed Communications Itinerary Card app used mobile phone data to track people’s travel agenda to identify those visiting areas designated as ‘high-risk’ by Beijing. The Chinese government also allowed more people to quarantine at home.
Unnamed sources familiar with the matter told Financial Times on Wednesday that Hong Kong public experts visited Beijing in November to advise local authorities about the gradual lifting of coronavirus restrictions nationwide. Beijing and Hong Kong did not comment on the publication.
