Hong Kong News
Nonpartisan, Noncommercial, unconstrained.
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
Real, Diverse, Unbiased.
HK to scrap quarantine for Covid close contacts, vaccine pass
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will hold an anti-epidemic Command and Coordination Group press conference at 3.30 pm today, with sources saying that the quarantine requirements for Covid close contacts will be dropped.
Local media reported that the Vaccine Pass required to enter most venues would also be scrapped.
Sources added that international travellers to Hong Kong will no longer need to do a mandatory PCR test on arrival.
However, masks are still compulsory in public places unless exercising.
The expected announcement comes after Lee said on Saturday that Hong Kong would reopen its borders with mainland China by mid-January.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health Edwin Tsui Lok-kin will also attend the conference.
Lee has said the government was taking a gradual approach to relax restrictions to minimise public health risks.
Hong Kong has for nearly three years largely followed China's lead in tackling the novel coronavirus.
In an abrupt policy change, China this month began dismantling the world's strictest COVID regime of lockdowns and extensive testing. The country will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine from Jan. 8, authorities said this week.
Restrictions on travel between Hong Kong and the mainland were imposed in early 2020. The reopening was postponed several times due to outbreaks in Hong Kong or the mainland.
Sources added that international travellers to Hong Kong will no longer need to do a mandatory PCR test on arrival.
However, masks are still compulsory in public places unless exercising.
The expected announcement comes after Lee said on Saturday that Hong Kong would reopen its borders with mainland China by mid-January.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health Edwin Tsui Lok-kin will also attend the conference.
Lee has said the government was taking a gradual approach to relax restrictions to minimise public health risks.
Hong Kong has for nearly three years largely followed China's lead in tackling the novel coronavirus.
In an abrupt policy change, China this month began dismantling the world's strictest COVID regime of lockdowns and extensive testing. The country will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine from Jan. 8, authorities said this week.
Restrictions on travel between Hong Kong and the mainland were imposed in early 2020. The reopening was postponed several times due to outbreaks in Hong Kong or the mainland.
