The region, which has imposed some of the strictest entry requirements during the pandemic, has finally eased many of its restrictions.
On Tuesday, December 13, the Hong Kong government announced that residents would no longer need to present their government health pass to enter venues, and overseas visitors are now allowed to visit bars, restaurants and museums as soon as they arrive in the country. Prior to this, Hong Kong has a variety of quarantine periods which were scrapped in September; however, it was then mandated that travellers were allowed to enter but could not visit any of these establishments for at least three days after entering Hong Kong, subject to negative Covid tests. Both residents and tourists were required to show a government health pass on the ‘LeaveHomeSafe’ app.
The new rules for arrivals are in force since Wednesday, December 14, but it has been announced that some venues, including restaurants, may still require proof of vaccination to enter. International travellers must still undergo a PCR test upon arrival in Hong Kong, and on their third day, along with five days of rapid antigen tests. Those with a positive test result are required to isolate at least until they test negative. Mask mandates are also still in place both outdoors and in public places.
The news comes after China decided to also ease many of its Covid restrictions, including the use of the government health app. There are also reports that Hong Kong is suffering a recession due to a lack of tourism, which is one of its main industries. Despite some travel companies welcoming this slight easing of restrictions, the numerous tests still required to enter Hong Kong, along with the mask mandate and Covid pass are strongly deterring visitors, as Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world to still impose such strict regulations. Many of Hong Kong’s visitors arrive from China and a large number of residents work in Macau, however, those entering mainland China were required to take a PCR test during each crossing – this has also now been replaced by a PCR test within 48 hours of travel.
It is rumoured that students and businessmen will soon be allowed to travel to Hong Kong with no limitations, and that other restrictions could be scrapped in the run-up to the Lunar New Year in January; although this is unconfirmed. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific have already added thousands of flights to their schedule to anticipate demand. On top of this, the government, along with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, revealed that it has invested HK$2 billion into buying up flights for 2023, when it will be giving away 500,000 plane tickets for free to lucky travellers. The tickets will be released in early 2023, and is seen as another hopeful sign that by then, restrictions will have been removed.
