Is Hong Kong finally ready to reopen to the world in 2023? From the Rugby Sevens to Clockenflap, the return of major international events and reduced travel restrictions spell a rosier year ahead

Nov 26 , 2022

News that Clockenflap will return in March 2023, after a four-and-a-half year break, strikes an optimistic chord for the entertainment and tourist industries in the year ahead. Photo: Kitmin.

Hong Kong reopens: life after quarantine

If November’s Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit and Hong Kong Rugby Sevens were a test, the city passed with flying colours – and was promptly repaid with a rollback on PCR tests for visitors

From Lan Kwai Fong to Disneyland, the entertainment industry is pinning hopes on the return of tourists in 2023 – but many warn remaining restrictions need to be ditched before the tide truly turns

As Hong Kong begins lifting its pandemic-related travel restrictions, hope is rising that the city is now open for business again and ready to reconnect with the world.

From the start of this week, travellers from overseas need only take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival at the airport and on their second day in Hong Kong. The scrapping of PCR tests on visitors’ fourth and sixth days was confirmed by undersecretary for health Libby Lee Ha-yun in a press conference last week.

While the requirement for a daily rapid antigen test (RAT) for seven days after arrival remains in effect, altogether these small steps represent strides in the right direction for getting the city back into its former rhythm.

And the beat has already been set. Hong Kong has just concluded a string of high-profile live events, including the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, hosted on November 1-3, followed immediately by the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens on November 4-6 – welcome signs that the city’s isolation is ending.

The Rugby Sevens returned on November 4 for the first time since the pandemic struck. Photo: Bloomberg

“We are encouraged by the overwhelming responses from both the international and local financial communities,” said Eddie Yue, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), after the conclusion of the three-day Global Financial Leaders’ Summit. “The summit demonstrated the global financial sector’s commitment to Hong Kong. My sincere thanks to all participants, especially those travelling from abroad,” he said.

The summit attracted more than 200 international and regional leaders from around 120 global financial institutions including banks, asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, private equity and venture capital firms. More than 40 institutions were represented by their group chairman or CEO.

Yue said participants and visitors benefited from the summit by reconnecting in person with their staff, clients and stakeholders in Hong Kong.

Recent live events appear to have served as lightning rods for discussions that led to more restrictions being lifted.