Overseas arrivals to Hong Kong will be allowed to visit venues offering mask-on activities from November 17, with the move set to become the latest in a series of changes to the city’s coronavirus pandemic restrictions.
Undersecretary for Health Libby Lee Ha-yun on Thursday said the decision to permit inbound travellers to take part in mask-on activities was an appropriate one, explaining that it presented a low risk of virus transmission.
“We are happy to hear that the services at the Hospital Authority are operating as normal. Under this premise and after careful consideration, we have decided to ease our anti-epidemic measures,” she told a press conference.
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Masks will stay, ‘0+3’ has allowed events to take place, Hong Kong leader says
Under the city’s “0+3” travel scheme, inbound arrivals are typically required to undergo a three-day medical surveillance period with limited freedom of movement in the city. Travellers are issued an amber health code and barred from entering venues that require vaccine checks, which includes eateries and night spots.
Lee’s announcement followed Hong Kong’s recent hosting of several major international events, during which the government exempted overseas participants from the current entry scheme and allowed them to visit premises such as restaurants and bars.
From next Thursday, authorities will also require visitors to mask-on premises under the vaccine pass scheme to take part in “passive checks” of their inoculation records instead of active ones, with the venues covered by the policy change including museums, all wet markets, non-dining sections in theme parks, as well as hair salons.
Group tour visitors to Hong Kong can soon enter restaurants, public places
Under the revised measures, visitors will only be required to provide their vaccination records if asked by members of the city’s law enforcement agencies. The policy already applies to locations such as shopping malls, supermarkets and department stores.
The government has recently made several adjustments to the city’s social-distancing and travel rules, with authorities last week axing restrictions that imposed set closing hours for restaurants and bars, while also reopening barbecue sites.
In October, Hong Kong increased the number of patrons allowed at each restaurant table from eight to 12 and lifted bans on live performances and dancing at catering premises and hotels.
More from South China Morning Post:
- Coronavirus vaccine: Hong Kong rolls out BioNTech jabs for children aged 6 months to under 5 years, minister warns booking rate low
- Coronavirus: Hong Kong may allow tour groups special access to showcase events as city further embraces return to normality
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