As promised, the Hong Kong government unveiled plans to loosen Covid restrictions after its leader admitted last week that the tolerance of some financial institutions in the city was waning.
Hong Kong will allow flights from nine countries – Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the U.K. and the U.S. – as of April 1, according to Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam during a media briefing today, ending the original ban which would have been in effect until April 20.
Incoming travelers’ hotel quarantine has been shortened from 14 days to seven days if tested negative for the coronavirus.
Fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents will be able to board flights to the city if they obtain a negative nucleic acid test result. Thereafter, they will undergo a 14-day hotel quarantine with daily rapid antigen testing and be allowed to leave the hotel on the seventh day if they test negative on the sixth and seventh day.
Social Distancing
In addition, the Hong Kong government will also loosen various social distancing measures including limits on public gatherings, dining curfews, face-to-face schooling and more.
The government has also put its plans to conduct compulsory citywide testing on hold for now.
The announcement makes good on Lam’s promise last week to unveil a new round of loosening for Covid restrictions, citing concerns about waning patience at some financial institutions in the city.
