Hong Kong will scrap its strict COVID-19 measures from Thursday, said John Lee, city leader, which cancels the mandatory PCR tests for people arriving in the country while also scrapping the city’s vaccine pass.
The cancellation of all measures would take place on Thursday, however, wearing masks still remains compulsory, Lee said in a media briefing on Wednesday.
“The city has reached a relatively high vaccination rate which builds an anti-epidemic barrier,” Lee said.
“Hong Kong has a sufficient amount of medicine to fight COVID, and healthcare workers have gained rich experience in facing the pandemic,” he added.
Lee also expressed the government’s intention to reopen the borders with mainland China by January 15. Lee was dealing with authorities on the border issue to ensure an appropriate re-opening.
He said that the government had been planning to lift all limitations.
“The time is appropriate for us to do this, having prepared for six months to do this. The whole of society is preparing for this. We are doing all this according to our local epidemic situation,” Lee further said.
Hong Kong’s vaccine pass criteria, implemented in February and compulsory for people to visit most places in Hong Kong, will end starting on Thursday. The government has also decided to end social distancing rules like the prohibition of gatherings of more than 12 people.
The city has for nearly three years largely followed China’s lead in tackling the novel coronavirus, with both places being the last strongholds in adopting a zero-COVID policy.
The calling off of coronavirus measures would lead to an increase in tourists and travelers to the special administrative region of China which has earlier shut itself owing to strict rules.
China has recently seen a surge in covid cases due to its abrupt ending of the zero-covid policy wherein it relaxed testing and the strictest lockdown measures.
Beginning January 8, the nation will no longer demand that visitors enter quarantine, officials announced this week.
Strict rules on travel between Hong Kong and mainland China were put in place in early 2020.
The reopening was postponed several times due to outbreaks in Hong Kong or the mainland.
Hong Kong has stopped controlling and checking international passengers since mid-December. They are also not prohibited from entering certain venues, after the government’s announcement.
Business organizations, embassies, and a large number of locals had criticized Hong Kong’s COVID-19 laws, claiming they endangered the city’s ability to compete and its reputation as a major international financial hub.
Since early 2020, the regulations have had a negative impact on Hong Kong’s economy, speeding up a flight of enterprises, foreigners, and local families as Beijing attempts to exert greater authority over the former British territory.
