Hong Kong will remove some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR tests for incoming travelers and vaccination requirements to enter certain places, the city’s leader said on Wednesday.
For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned with China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, which requires strict COVID-19 testing and isolation for close contacts of infected cases, as well as incoming travelers.
But the mainland has eased measures in recent weeks, and Hong Kong is preparing for the January reopening of its border with China, which had previously imposed harsh restrictions and quick lockdowns to stamp out the virus.
“Our society as a whole has built a high-level and extensive immunity barrier (to COVID-19),” Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee told a news conference. More than 80 percent of the city has at least three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Close contacts of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 will no longer need to isolate in Hong Kong, he said, and there will no longer be a limit on the number of diners per table in restaurants. The relaxed measures will take effect from Thursday.
However, masks will still need to be worn in public unless residents are exercising, as removing masks may lead to a rise in respiratory illnesses such as influenza just as Hong Kong faces a seasonal rise in flu cases, the secretary said. of Lo Chung Health. -mau at the press conference.
In September, Hong Kong removed quarantine requirements for arriving travelers as it sought to boost tourism after more than two years of entry restrictions.
Starting January 8, China will no longer require incoming travelers to self-quarantine, authorities said earlier this week.
