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Hong Kong takes measures to ease travel curbs
People arriving at Hong Kong’s international airport will be required to go to an approved quarantine hotel and, if they don’t have Covid, can then serve four days of health monitoring either at home or in a hotel, Chief Executive John Lee said Monday.The four-day period corresponds with relatively loose movement rules, with travellers able to leave their homes and only restricted from entering high-risk places.
“We want to reduce the impact from quarantine on our economic activities as well as our connection with the world,” Lee said at a briefing. The new rules come into effect Friday.
While the reduction is likely to be welcomed by residents, who have faced mandatory hotel quarantine of as many as 21 days during the pandemic, it still falls short of what business groups say Hong Kong needs in order to revive its global status.
“It is unlikely to benefit the broader business and tourist travel which will need a full lifting of quarantine controls,” David Graham, executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, said in a statement. “This will be critical for Hong Kong’s economic and business outlook. We continue to encourage the government to move toward quarantine-free travel.”
Arrivals also still face the prospect of being sent to a community isolation facility should they test positive on one of the copious number of tests they’ll be required to take.
“For Hong Kong to be back on the map for stakeholders from abroad requires them to be able to come and leave as they would nearly everywhere else, that is without quarantine, tests on arrival or the worry that they may be sent to an isolation center if they should contract Covid while they’re here,” said Johannes Hack, president of the German Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has been making incremental changes to its virus measures after an omicron-driven outbreak engulfed the city earlier this year. The reduction to the quarantine period follows the removal of flight suspensions last month that imposed snap bans on certain routes if they inadvertently brought in Covid-infected passengers, making it difficult for travelers to plan their trips.
The easing measures implemented during Lee’s early days in office are part of his plan to restore the city’s stature without alienating Chinese officials committed to rooting out the virus.
Reducing quarantine for international arrivals isn’t in conflict with reopening the border with China and the two sides are communicating on the topic, according to Lee. He said he hopes that by explaining Hong Kong’s situation, the city can reach an understanding with mainland officials that there is room to gradually reduce cross-border travel inconveniences.
Source : Hindustan Times
