The Hong Kong government rejected the plea of a major industry group calling for the reopening of the city to international travel, maintaining its «zero infection» strategy.
Authorities in Hong Kong have decided to maintain their Covid policy and reject a recent call from the Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA) to reopen borders to international travel, loosen quarantine rules and set a clear timeline or risk damage to the city's hub status.
«The government will continue to strive to reach 'zero infection' and sustain the various stringent and necessary anti-epidemic measures,» according to a «Bloomberg» report citing a statement from the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB).
«Zero Infection»
In contrast to Hong Kong which has recently been experiencing low single-digit to zero infections on a daily basis, the statement highlighted that other governments decision to opt to co-exist with the virus has resulted in increases in infections, hospitalizations and deaths.
The statement also highlighted «encouraging» signs of economic recovery, a recent 'normalcy index’ by the «Economist» that ranked Hong Kong at the top and reiterated its priority of opening borders for travel to mainland China first.
«The government is aware of the views from the financial industry on the government's anti-epidemic measures,» the statement added. «The [FSTB] will maintain liaison with them as always to understand their difficulties and concerns.»
