[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyunjung] Hong Kong is likely to announce this month a policy to end hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 19th.
SCMP cited sources saying that authorities are coordinating the related policy with several government departments, and if discussions proceed smoothly, a relaxation plan could be announced soon. Another insider said that arrivals could monitor their own health for the possibility of COVID-19 infection and stay at home instead of a hotel for 7 days. Hong Kong's current quarantine policy is "3+4," meaning 3 days of hotel quarantine followed by 4 days of self-isolation.
David Hui, a respiratory professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and an advisor to the Hong Kong government on epidemic control, said on a TV program, "If the number of COVID-19 cases continues to decline over the next 1-2 weeks and our healthcare system can handle it, the government should actively consider easing quarantine measures."
The city's daily new confirmed cases recorded 7,322 the previous day, continuing a decline for two consecutive days, of which 132 were imported from overseas. The cumulative number of confirmed cases is 1,707,495, with a total of 9,891 deaths.
Lo Chung-mau, Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, also said on the 17th that the trend in case numbers is encouraging and that the government is considering abolishing hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals. Hong Kong is preparing to host the International Banking Conference and the international sports event "Rugby Sevens" in November.
Professor Hui explained that the government should introduce a "0+7" quarantine system and, if there is no rebound in cases in the community, further reduce the number of days under self-isolation monitoring. However, he noted that vaccination rates for the elderly and children are not ideal, recommending incentives such as consumption vouchers and shortening the interval between the second and third doses.
On the other hand, mainland China still adheres to a strict "zero COVID" policy. In Beijing, the capital, a "7+3" policy is in place, requiring 7 days of quarantine in a facility followed by 3 days of self-isolation. However, new arrivals from outside mainland China often have no residence, so they must quarantine for ten days. Additionally, to access external facilities including private ones and to use taxis or public transportation, presenting a health code (Jiankangbao) is mandatory, which requires opening an account and obtaining a mobile phone number, effectively extending the quarantine period.
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