Hong Kong drops curbs on incoming travellers, scraps COVID app

HONG KONG, Dec 13 (Reuters) – Hong Kong declared that from Wednesday worldwide passengers arriving in the territory would no extended encounter COVID-19 movement controls or be barred from selected venues, and that it was also scrapping a required COVID-19 cellular software.

The information of a additional loosening of COVID-19 curbs in the global fiscal hub, which has trailed most of the world in easing them, might enhance resumption of travel and small business.

An amber code issued to intercontinental arrivals for their first a few days in Hong Kong meant they were not authorized to take in or drink within bars and dining establishments.

From Wednesday, travellers and all inhabitants coming from abroad will be permitted into all locales offered they check unfavorable for COVID-19 on arrival, Chief Govt John Lee mentioned in a televised briefing on Tuesday.

They will even now require to present a photograph or paper history of their COVID-19 vaccines at some venues which have to have it, Health and fitness Secretary Lo Chung-mau told a push briefing, but arrivals experience no constraints on moving around.

“Right after arriving in HK, intercontinental arrivals do not have any constraints. So the same day they move off the plane they are free to enter any premises,” Well being Secretary Lo Chung-mau informed a later push briefing.

The government’s move to scrap its mobility-monitoring app, which grants accessibility to places to eat and venues these kinds of as fitness centers, golf equipment and salons, arrives after mainland China dropped the prerequisite.

Business teams, diplomats and many residents experienced slammed Hong Kong’s COVID-19 policies, saying they threatened its competitiveness and standing as an worldwide fiscal centre.

The policies have weighed on Hong Kong’s overall economy considering that early 2020, dashing up an exodus of businesses, expatriates and regional households who departed amid a push by Beijing to additional carefully handle the previous British colony.

Hong Kong has closely adopted China’s zero-COVID policy considering that 2020 but began steadily easing limits in August, chopping mandated resort quarantine to 3 days before scrapping it totally in September, far more than 2-1/2 yrs right after the virus emerged.

The amber code was the past remaining restriction on arrivals, who will continue to be issue to a necessary COVID PCR exam on arrival and one particular more following.

Masks are still mandated throughout the metropolis, unless of course training. Group gatherings of much more than 12 folks are banned, but people can still go to nightclubs and attend banquets where hundreds of people today are existing.

Health secretary Lo included that contaminated people isolating at home would no for a longer period be essential to use an electronic tag limiting them to their home.

Reporting by Farah Master, Clare Jim and Twinnie Siu and Jessie Pang Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Tom Hogue, Gerry Doyle & Simon Cameron-Moore

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