A LeaveHomeSafe QR code at the entrance of government headquarters in Hong Kong. (CALVIN NG/ CHINA DAILY)
Hong Kong has taken another leap toward full normalization following Tuesday’s announcements of a raft of anti-pandemic relaxations, which include scrapping the amber code and canceling the requirement for people to scan the LeaveHomeSafe QR code when entering venues.
Other changes include optimizing various local virus test arrangements, dropping the need to wear electronic wristbands during home isolation, and axing additional nucleic acid tests at borders for people leaving for the Chinese mainland and Macao.
Starting Wednesday, travelers arriving in Hong Kong will no longer be given an amber health code if they test negative for COVID-19; they are therefore free to move about the city and enter venues like restaurants and bars during the first three days upon arrival, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said.
Having an amber code meant that new arrivals were required to undergo three days of health observation and nucleic tests, and had their movements around the city restricted.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong residents are no longer required to scan the QR code on their LeaveHomeSafe app before entering various premises. The vaccine pass, however, is still needed for entering designated venues, including some restaurants.
Under the new arrangement, the LeaveHomeSafe app now only displays one of two codes — a red code for those infected with COVID-19, and a blue code for those not infected.
When asked when normal travel to and from the Chinese mainland might resume, Lee said the issue is “close to his heart” and the SAR government is working hard to make it happen, but specific policies must be based on the actual situation.
At another news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the scrapping of the amber code for new arrivals was based on data analysis and should not increase the risk to the community. Last month, only 3.8 percent of arrivals from overseas and Taiwan tested positive for the COVID virus, he said.
He added that while the city has seen an increase in confirmed COVID cases, the trend seems to have stabilized and local infections have reached a plateau. On Tuesday, the city recorded 13,721 new cases, including 791 imported ones.
Lo said the city’s public medical system has improved its resilience and has maintained most of its non-emergency services from the latest wave of the pandemic. He regards this as a vital premise for society’s full return to normalcy.
In addition to the two initiatives announced by Lee in the morning, Lo also revealed more anti-pandemic relaxations.
From Wednesday, travelers leaving Hong Kong for the Chinese mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region are no longer required to take a mandatory nucleic acid test at checkpoints. But they will still need to produce a COVID-19 negative test result 48 hours prior to their departure.
The government will gradually reduce compulsory testing operations at residential buildings, and instead distribute more rapid antigen test packs to the community.
Regular nucleic acid or PCR — polymerase chain reaction — tests for most targeted groups, except high-risk groups, such as those working in hospitals and care homes, will be replaced by regular rapid antigen tests. The daily RAT requirement for students will be maintained.
People under home quarantine will no longer have to wear an electronic wristband, as this approach is not cost-effective, Lo said. The government will continue to send anti-pandemic supplies to those isolating and will carry out random checks to make sure they haven’t left the premises.
Contact the writers at oasishu@chinadailyhk.com