Hong Kong finally opens to travellers with a single pre-departure Covid test

Hong Kong, one of many final huge tourism locations in Asia with onerous Covid journey restrictions, has lifted virtually of them for vaccinated guests – beginning instantly.

The federal government says the transfer has been made “to completely leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in connecting with the world”.

Whereas Hong Kong’s guidelines have been eased considerably in current months, till 29 December arrivals required a number of PCR checks after arrival. As well as, entry to many venues was managed by a Vaccine Cross.

The one testing requirement now could be a lateral move (fast antigen) check throughout the 24 hours earlier than the flight departs to Hong Kong. Finishing the well being declaration kind is now non-compulsory.

Hong Kong’s authorities says: “Inbound individuals are suggested to conduct every day fast antigen check (RAT) till Day 5 after their arrival at Hong Kong.” However that is purely voluntary.

Restrictions on group gatherings and limits on capability of eating places have been lifted, however a masks mandate stays in impact in lots of settings. In eating places, for instance, “all patrons, when they’re away from the desk, should not eat meals or drink and should put on a masks typically”.

Earlier than the coronavirus pandemic, Hong Kong was served by dozens of flights every week from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester.

Hong Kong banned all flights from the UK in December 2020. They had been allowed briefly in Might and June 2021, however then barred again in July 2021 till April 2022.

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s major airline, has lower flights drastically worldwide – with a big a part of its fleet languishing at Alice Springs airport in central Australia.

It operates solely two flights per day from the UK to Hong Kong, each from London Heathrow.

British Airways, which used to function a number of flights utilizing A380 SuperJumbo plane, at present has a single every day Boeing 787 service.

Dr Pang Yiu-kai, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), mentioned: “The brand new measures mark a key milestone for tourism revival and the total reopening of the tourism doorways of Hong Kong.

“We consider it will entice guests to Hong Kong from around the globe. Considering the tempo of outbound journey resumption in several customer supply markets, HKTB will progressively step up its promotions worldwide to uphold Hong Kong’s standing as a world-class journey vacation spot.”

Obligatory lodge quarantine for abroad arrivals to Hong Kong ended on 26 September 2022.