Hong Kong has reduced the quarantine time to 3 days from 7 days. However, 4-day medical surveillance will be required after the time. This is called “home medical surveillance”. Chief Executive John Lee said it is necessary to strike a balance between the economic activity and the risk level.
The changed schedule will help the travellers to run along with the economic development requirement. The initial three days are the quarantine after which the travellers will be able to enjoy all the facilities while being under medical supervision for four more days.
During the medical surveillance, the travellers will be able to travel rather than be stuck in the room but they will not be allowed to places where vaccination has become a mandate.
People will be able to visit bars, pubs, gyms and beauty parlours. However, they will not be allowed to visit nursing homes, schools and specified medical premises during the surveillance period. Additionally, they also cannot visit places where wearing masks is a necessity. If they test negative on a rapid antigen test, they can take public transportation, go to work and enter shopping malls as Mr Lee informed.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said, based on trends of imported cases, 80% of infections are picked up within three days. Following this news, Cathay Pacific shares in Hong Kong jumped to 2.36%.
Hong Kong has been very protective of its people, especially in the lockdown of last year. The management has made it possible to secure the lives of citizens as well as outsiders. However, now the economy of the country is suffering hugely without the contribution from the travellers.
Tags: medical surveillance, China Tourism, covid restriction, Hong Kong, quarantine, travel restrictions