HONG KONG – Hong Kong will lift some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR testing for those entering and vaccination requirements for entry to certain venues, the city leader said on Wednesday.
For most of the pandemic Hong Kong has joined China’s “zero COVID” strategywhich requires rigorous COVID-19 testing and isolation for close contacts of infected cases, as well as for incoming travellers.
But the mainland has relaxed measures in the last few weeksand Hong Kong is preparing to reopen its border with China in January, which previously imposed tough restrictions and immediate lockdowns to stamp out the virus.
“Our society as a whole has built a comprehensive and high-level immunity barrier (against COVID-19),” Hong Kong chief executive John Lee said at a news conference. Over 80% of the city has at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Close contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 will also no longer have to isolate themselves in Hong Kong, he said, and there will no longer be a limit on the number of guests per table in restaurants. The relaxed measures will apply from Thursday.
However, masks must still be worn in public unless residents exercise, as mask abolition could lead to a spike in respiratory illnesses like influenza, just as Hong Kong is facing a seasonal spike in flu cases, Health Minister Lo Chung said. mau at the press conference.
Hong Kong abolished in September Quarantine regulations for incoming travelers as it tried to boost tourism after more than two years of entry restrictions.
From January 8th China is no longer needed The authorities announced earlier this week that travelers were in quarantine.
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