Tighter COVID-19 restrictions to take effect tomorrow. Despite that, key government adviser is optimistic city will reopen «soon».
The Hong Kong government announced a raft of new COVID-19 restrictions to deal with the rising number of cases from the Omicron variant. These will be effective for two weeks starting tomorrow.
As part of these, requirements were extended for the local contact tracing app, saying it should now be used in churches, malls, supermarkets, outdoor markets and salons. From 24 February on, there will be a vaccine requirement to enter them and the other 17 types of premises already required to use the app.
In addition, public gatherings have been limited to two people from four previously while private gatherings are to be limited to two households.
City to Reopen «Soon»
«The Standard», a local newspaper and website, said Bernard Chan, a top government adviser, was «very optimistic» that Hong Kong would reopen to the world in the next year.
The paper, citing a Bloomberg Television interview, reported Chan saying that the next priority for the government was cutting quarantine times for those travelling to the city.
«I’m very hopeful as more data shows the omicron variant’s incubation period is actually much shorter, that perhaps we can aim for a shorter quarantine time,» he told «Bloomberg Television».
No Full Lockdown
He also ruled out a full lockdown such as that seen in China, and cited a 90 percent vaccination rate as crucial in order for the city to start easing restrictions, the newspaper indicated.
«We just can’t do it in Hong Kong. We cannot have the same sort of lockdown that you see in the mainland,» Chan said.
