Summary: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government plans to launch the "Easy to Hong Kong" in mid-May, allowing mainlanders to come to Hong Kong without the need for 14-day compulsory quarantine.
The picture shows a profile photo of people arriving at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point in Hong Kong.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Wei
On April 12, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam, held a press conference on the "New Way to Fight the Epidemic" to introduce a number of new policies concerning entry and exit.
Plan to launch "Easy to Hong Kong" in mid-May
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor revealed that the SAR government plans to introduce in mid-May for people who are not Hong Kong residents in the Mainland to come to Hong Kong under the "Easy-to-Hong Kong" quarantine without requiring 14 days of compulsory quarantine.
Upon enquiry from a media reporter, Carrie Lam said that there is no vaccination requirement for the "Easy to Hong Kong" program, but a negative nucleic acid test certificate for a period of time before coming to Hong Kong is required.
Some Hong Kong residents returned to Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Wei
"Easy to Hong Kong" expanded to mainland provinces and cities outside Guangdong
Regarding the "Easy Return to Hong Kong" program for Hong Kong residents, Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that the SAR government intends to extend the program from Guangdong Province to other places in the Mainland at the end of April. By then, eligible Hong Kong residents will return to Hong Kong through cross-border ports or Hong Kong International Airport. The 14-day compulsory quarantine can be exempted.
Previously, under the "Easy Return to Hong Kong" program, Hong Kong residents who meet the relevant conditions can be exempted from the 14-day compulsory quarantine when returning to Hong Kong from Guangdong Province and Macau.
Some Hong Kong residents returned to Hong Kong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Wei
Cross-border trucks complete vaccination and relaxation testing
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also said that at present, it has been approved by the Guangdong Provincial Government that truck drivers crossing the border from Hong Kong to the Mainland are required to conduct daily new crown virus testing arrangements. The new crown vaccination will be completed on the driver (complete vaccination means two doses of vaccine and After 14 days, let the antibody be produced), relax to one test every three days.
The Secretary for Transport and Housing of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Chen Fan, added at the press conference that there are 11,000 qualified cross-border freight drivers in Hong Kong, of which more than 7,000 are active drivers. So far 6,600 people have received the first dose of the new crown vaccine. , About 5,300 people were vaccinated with two doses of the new crown vaccine, and the overall vaccination progress is good.
He pointed out that he is currently discussing details with the Guangdong Provincial Government to provide more cross-border convenience for drivers who have completed the vaccination.
The picture shows immigrants entering Hong Kong from the Shenzhen Bay Port.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Zhihua
Further relaxation of entry restrictions
In addition, the SAR government plans to further relax entry restrictions. For those arriving in Hong Kong from low-risk areas including Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, if the vaccination has been completed, the compulsory quarantine period can be reduced from the current 14 days to 7 days or less.
The mandatory quarantine period for people arriving in Hong Kong from intermediate-risk areas can be reduced from the current 21 days to 14 days or less after the vaccination. Local residents who have completed the vaccination can participate in the "tourism bubble" established by the SAR government and overseas governments in consultation. Or foreign governments actively provide travellers for travel activities during the quarantine period.
On December 27, 2020, Carrie Lam and others inspected the implementation of the "Easy Return to Hong Kong" program.
(Photo courtesy of Information Services Department)
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor also said that the SAR government plans to lift the restrictions on boarding from the UK to Hong Kong in early May, except for the designated flights back to Hong Kong from London, UK. However, they will still be subject to COVID-19 testing and compulsory quarantine for 21 days after arriving in Hong Kong. .
Reporter: Zhang Xiaoxi