Hong Kong's Chief Executive says 03 quarantine policy for arrivals smoothly

125
3
Hong Kong's Chief Executive says 03 quarantine policy for arrivals smoothly

On September 23, 2022, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiuLee Ka-chiu announces new COVID 19 policy measures at a press conference at the Central Government Offices. ANDY CHONG CHINA DAILY Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiuLee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the first day of the 0 3 quarantine-free medical surveillance system for new arrivals went smoothly and that the city's social and economic activities are gradually resuming.

Lee said that society responded positively to the new arrangement after the weekly Executive Council meeting, and that there were many warm and joyful scenes at the city's airport on Monday.

Hong Kong has scrapped its COVID 19 hotel-quarantine policy for all arrivals on Monday, replacing it with the 0 3 arrangement, under which all those arriving from overseas and Taiwan need to self-monitor for possible COVID 19 infection for three days after entering the city.

They are allowed to move freely about the community, but they are not allowed to enter certain restaurants and bars.

Lee said that the hotel-quarantine requirement is aimed at allowing more room for social and economic activities. He said that the aviation industry will be the first to benefit from this.

More than 50 flights arrived in Hong Kong on Monday, according to the Airport Authority Hong Kong. Many arriving passengers said they could leave within half an hour after landing and the entry process was smooth.

Lee believes that other sectors will see more relaxation of social distancing measures if the pandemic is under control and the economy shows an expected recovery.

On September 23, 2022, a passenger walks along a bridge at Hong Kong International Airport. Over the weekend, the LAM YIK AP Online travel platform Trip.com Group saw a nearly 400 per cent increase in outbound flight bookings in Hong Kong compared to the same period last week, with the most popular destinations Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore and Osaka being the most popular destinations.

ALSO READ: CE: First day of the 0 3' arrangement ran smoothly.

Most of the bookings for inbound flights are for late October and the average number of days for hotel stays is five days for tourists.

A number of local business chambers and trade associations have called for the demonetization of all pandemic controls for arrivals.

George Leung Siu-kay, Chief Executive Officer at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, expressed hopes for the city to recoup its losses by increasing publicity to attract business events to Hong Kong, as he spokeswoman for further relaxation of entry rules.

Annie Tse Yau On-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, welcomed the relaxation of the quarantine measures to 0 3 and looked forward to the early implementation of the 0 0 entry policy. She believed that this would inject new impetus into the local consumer market and restore Hong Kong's international standing.