Chief Executive John Lee says move is necessary for Hong Kong’s shift to normality, as in other parts of the world; city to end mask mandate this year.
Covid-19 quarantine
Negative 48-hour NAT needed when departing for Macao; city recorded 66 new symptomatic cases yesterday; tourists without homes will still need to quarantine at a hotel while all arrivals will not be able to travel to mainland China for another three days.
Travellers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and foreign countries will now need to spend five days in a hotel – as opposed to seven – and undergo three days’ home quarantine with a red health code.
Isolation period for inbound visitors from foreign countries will change from “7+3” to “5+3”; people will not be allowed to leave home or hotel during three follow-up days.
Under new proposals, arrivals would spend two days in hotel quarantine followed by five at home; no official announcement yet.
Arrivals will not be required to wait at airport for test results and just need to undergo three days’ home or hotel medical surveillance.
Virus incubation period is one week: lessening quarantine time would expose city to greater risk, says health official.
Measure starts at midnight, in place for one month, with only a few exemptions; authorities working to reduce waiting time for airport arrivals.
People in Macao have already been able to enter Hong Kong without quarantine via Come2hk Scheme since 2021.
