[Commentary] Recently, the Hong Kong SAR government announced that it will launch the "3+4" quarantine plan from August 12, that is, the compulsory quarantine for those arriving from overseas areas will be changed from 7-day hotel quarantine to 3-day hotel quarantine plus 4 days Home medical monitoring not only provides convenience for overseas people to arrive in Hong Kong, but also opens up a more convenient and diversified way for overseas students to return to China.
[Explanation] Since the outbreak of the global epidemic, a large number of international flights have been cut off, the number of overseas return tickets has plummeted, and the price has also risen sharply, which makes it difficult for overseas students in the graduation season to find a ticket.
Considering the high price of direct flights from abroad to China, in order to save economic costs and return to China as soon as possible, many international students choose to transit through Hong Kong to enter the mainland.
[Concurrent] Bao Jinming, a master graduate from University of London, UK
The first point (consider transiting through Hong Kong) is because in terms of cost, everyone will definitely choose a relatively cheaper route, and then the second point, for me, I think it is safer.
[Explanation] According to previous regulations, international students who transit through Hong Kong to the mainland must undergo a 7-day compulsory quarantine in Hong Kong.
After the implementation of the new "3+4" plan, the number of quarantine days has been shortened from the original 7 days to 3 days. Passengers who have booked a 7-day quarantine hotel do not need to change their reservations, but only need to use the original booking documents to go through the procedures such as check-in and entry. , After completing the 3-day quarantine, you can choose any suitable time and transportation mode to leave the port in the next 4 days.
[Concurrent] Bao Jinming, a master graduate from University of London, UK
Because in fact, when this ("3+4") rule first came out, most of the international students, like us students who were not flying and were planning to fly, were quite panicked.
Then many of our classmates started to send emails to the hotel and make phone calls. Later, the hotel replied to us that we don't need to change it ourselves, he will automatically change it to a three-day hotel for us.
I did not choose to change the ticket (ticket), because I chose to fly to Hangzhou, and then there are fewer flights to Hangzhou, so I have no ticket at present.
It's still according to the original plan. For the remaining 4 days, we need to find other ordinary hotels to stay, so we only need to book ordinary rooms for the next 4 days on their website. Come to us It is also a very convenient operation.
[Explanation] In addition to transiting to the Mainland via Hong Kong, returning to the Mainland via the Shenzhen Bay Port is also one of the choices for international students.
In order to ensure that special groups can return to the mainland in time, Shenzhen has specially increased the application for "humanistic care customs clearance", among the eight categories of people entering Shenzhen from Hong Kong. Foreign students who are still in Hong Kong for 5 days or more.
[Concurrent] Bao Jinming, a master graduate from University of London, UK
Now these new policies issued by the Hong Kong SAR government have also provided us with a lot of convenience for our international students. We can also have more plans and methods to return to China, which has also relieved a lot of pressure on us, and also helped us return to China. The route provides a lot of convenience.
[Explanation] The introduction of various policies has provided multiple conveniences for overseas students to return to the mainland via Hong Kong. Some industry insiders and commentators told reporters that the introduction of the new quarantine policy has provided overseas students with a more affordable, convenient and diversified way to return to China, allowing overseas students to return home. Overseas students have more options for their "homecoming".
[Concurrent] Hong Kong Doctor Zhou Bozhan, President of Heungkong Zhihui
This is a good measure of progress.
They (international students) can get air tickets back to Hong Kong cheaper and easier. In fact, after being quarantined in hotels for three days, they can return to the mainland as soon as possible, and they have many more options for transportation from Hong Kong to the mainland.
[Concurrent] Hong Kong current affairs commentator Zhu Jiajian
In fact, I generally welcome this new measure.
Whether they came from abroad to study in Hong Kong or some college students who went to the mainland via Hong Kong to study in the mainland, the three-day (four-day) quarantine period was actually reduced, which is more flexible for them.
Reporter Luo Siyu and Luo Qianqian report from Hong Kong
Responsible editor: [Li Yan]