Hong Kong eases COVID-19 quarantine rules for arrivals

By: News Team

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Hong Kong will shorten the mandatory COVID-19 hotel quarantine period for people entering its territory from seven to three days, taking another step towards lifting strict rules on pandemic that has isolated the Asian financial center.

The measures will take effect from Friday, City Leader John Lee told a news conference on Monday.

Those arriving in Hong Kong will have to self-monitor for another four days, during which they will be banned from places such as restaurants and bars.

“We have to find a balance between people’s livelihood and Hong Kong’s competitiveness to give the community maximum momentum and economic vitality,” Lee said.

Quarantined people will receive a red code in a mobile application established by the Government. This code will change to a yellow one once they are released from quarantine, which means they cannot enter crowded premises.

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

Rooms are expensive and are often booked months in advance. Payment is made in advance and no refunds are allowed unless there is a change in Government policy or flight cancellation.

The city’s border has been almost completely sealed since 2020 and international arrivals face harsh quarantine and testing protocols. It is one of the last places in the world that still imposes quarantine on arrivals.

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