Letters | Hotel quarantine over, Hong Kong must still try and catch up with cities like Singapore

Readers discuss hopes for the city to balance health protection with restoring its vibrant local culture, and how to ensure the success of an upcoming key financial summit

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People pose for photos at the Merlion Park in Singapore on August 24. With its latest easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the Hong Kong government is finally showing it is willing to keep up with cities like Singapore. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:30am, 26 Sep 2022

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With the Covid-19 Omicron outbreak in Hong Kong under control and the travel restrictions winding down, many travellers may be tempted to come to Hong Kong to participate in events, visit relatives and friends, or just to see the sights. However, the continuing restrictions on movement may still dissuade some people from coming.

The government has finally scrapped the hotel quarantine and said there was room for more easing down the line. This is certainly a good sign. A three-day medical surveillance requirement is miles better than the seven-day quarantine or the 3+4 arrangement in place previously.

This shows that the government is finally willing to keep up with other cities such as Singapore. However, as of now travellers cannot dine in restaurants during the three days of medical supervision. This is quite an obstacle for business travellers who may stay here for only two to three days.

So, what’s next from here? Many cities exempt people who are fully vaccinated from any quarantine, surveillance or testing, and only require those who are not fully vaccinated to submit rapid antigen tests daily. They also do not limit travellers from visiting anywhere in the city.

Hong Kong should start implementing these policies in the coming weeks or months to keep up with other world-class cities.

As a world city, it is imperative that we balance welcoming international travellers and restoring the vibrant culture of Hong Kong while keeping residents safe from Covid-19 and other diseases.