On The Radar: Hong Kong relaxes Covid rules

Hong Kong has cracked open its borders in recent months, with many stringent coronavirus policies (including opening hotel quarantine for international arrivals in late September) becoming less severe.  

This week, relaxing Covid-19 restrictions on inbound travellers after arriving in the financial hub (including allowing them to enter theme parks, museums, mahjong parlours, hair salons and places of worship) has come into effect, CNN reports.

From inside mainland China, the country’s Zero Covid maintenance is causing a lot of backlash – especially when there’s a tragedy that can be related to ongoing harsh restrictions, such as a bus crash or a child’s death.  

Fury also burns quietly amongst Hong Kongers for the “different rules” for different types of people. For example, two weeks ago Hong Kong hosted a high-profile financial summit for which more than 200 financial executives from around the world flew in, and were exempted from the MIQ rules for international arrivals.

Locals continue to point out these inconsistencies on social media and there are many calls for Chinese authorities to remove any restriction equally, for all people, at the same time.

For this week’s Covid policy relaxation, undersecretary for health Libby Lee Ha-yun said China was adopting new rules based on the lower transmission risk in places where masks were worn, given public hospitals had returned to full service, the daily number of infections had stabilised and imported cases only slightly increased following previous rule relaxations.

"[People who conduct] mask-off activities such as eating and drinking have higher chances of being infected. We believe that it poses higher risks of transmission. In other words, mask-on activities have lower risks,” she told a press conference.

“Therefore, we have noticed there is room for a slight relaxation in places where masks will be kept on to allow convenience for residents.”

According to South China Morning Post, Under Hong Kong’s “0+3” travel scheme, inbound arrivals are required to undergo a three-day medical surveillance period with limited freedom of movement in the city.

Travellers are issued an amber health code and barred from entering venues that require vaccine checks, such as eateries and nightlife spots, but can enter shopping malls, department stores and supermarkets, as well as attend work and school.

Daily Covid numbers in Hong Kong are hovering between 4000-5000, with fewer than 20 percent of them serious or critical cases.

- Asia Media Centre