This screenshot from a video published by the Hong Kong government shows Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaking at a press briefing on Sept 28, 2022 in the city.
HONG KONG – Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that his government is sparing no effort in realizing its goal of implementing pre-departure quarantine as discussions with Shenzhen authorities are progressing.
Talking to the press ahead of the Executive Council meeting in the morning, Lee also said there have been meetings about the plan between high-level officials of the two cities.
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The concept is simple, and the concept is to conform to a standard which will not increase the risk to the Shenzhen authorities.
John Lee, Chief Executive, HKSAR
The crux of the matter hinges on whether Hong Kong can fulfill the requirement laid down by the Shenzhen authorities, which is also a set of rules that apply to the whole country, he pointed out.
“What is important is the idea of reverse quarantine or pre-quarantine is to allow our people from Hong Kong to (enter) the mainland while conforming to the “7+3” (quarantine requirement), which (has been) implemented in the mainland,” he said.
“The only question is, whether we do it in Hong Kong or do it in Shenzhen. So, the quarantine requirement remains sustained, provided (that) the standard (of the quarantine requirement) is accepted by Shenzhen.”
The Hong Kong leader explained that once people have gone through the pre-departure quarantine process in Hong Kong, they will be deemed as having satisfied the requirement in the same way as those who have completed the “7+3” quarantine arrangement in Shenzhen.
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“So, the concept is simple, and the concept is to conform to a standard which will not increase the risk to the Shenzhen authorities,” he added.