During the two-day home isolation period that follows, visitors will be required to use a so-called yellow health code and refrain from visiting high-risk venues, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said in an interview with Now TV on Saturday. They may also have to complete RAT tests every two days, he added.

Earlier, local media reported authorities could even shorten the hotel quarantine to three days as they put the finishing touches to a China-style health code. Lo previously told the newspaper that conditional quarantine-free travel may be allowed by November, in time for a global bankers’ summit to be held in the city.

The Asian financial center still adopts some of the most stringent quarantine requirements in the world, in line with China’s Covid-Zero policy which has been abandoned elsewhere. It has relaxed some restrictions on travel and general movement, but social distancing rules such as mask-wearing remain largely in place.