China News Service, Hong Kong, May 26 (Reporter Shi Bingjun) The Director of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (Commerce and Economic Development Bureau) Qiu Tenghua announced at a press conference on the 26th that in view of the gradual stability of the local epidemic in Hong Kong, the public has a demand for cruise travel. The SAR government is now announcing the arrangements for the quarantine requirements for participants during the reopening of the "high seas" cruise, so that cruise companies and interested citizens can prepare in advance. It is expected that the "high seas" can be restarted as early as the end of July.
On the same day, the SAR government announced eight anti-epidemic regulations for cruise companies, crews, and passengers.
The passenger capacity of each ship of the cruise company is set at 50% of the original passenger capacity, and the epidemic prevention regulations of relevant public premises on the shore must be complied with; and passengers must scan the cruise QR code with the “Travel with Peace” app before boarding the ship. Later, the cruise company’s social distancing and tracking measures must also be followed.
Qiu Tenghua pointed out that some cruise companies have been informed that they have prepared for emergency quarantine requirements, such as dedicated isolation rooms, medical personnel on board, medical equipment, and arrangements for scattered crowds.
He believes that if Hong Kong is the home port or the cruise company in the region, if it meets the epidemic prevention requirements, it will be able to participate in the sailing project.
The requirements for cruise ship crews include that they must be vaccinated against the new crown pneumonia and be tested for nucleic acid virus every 14 days; crews coming to Hong Kong from overseas must comply with the current Hong Kong quarantine for people entering Hong Kong.
As for passengers, passengers who intend to join the cruise must also complete the vaccination and present a negative certificate of nucleic acid test within 48 hours before boarding when traveling.
Yau Tenghua said that Hong Kong cruise travel has been suspended for 15 months. The public, the industry and the tourism industry all have great expectations for the gradual resumption of cruise travel, allowing cruises to resume "high seas cruises" under strict sanitation and epidemic prevention measures to protect the public A proper balance should be struck between hygiene and citizens’ leisure and entertainment.
Qiu Tenghua pointed out that the relevant arrangements have a complete set of emergency measures to deal with the repeated local epidemics.
If a suspected case is found on the cruise ship, the itinerary will be suspended immediately, and the cruise ship must immediately return to the Hong Kong cruise terminal, and relevant departments will conduct inspections and emergency management measures.
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