Hong Kong: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions from October 30 /update 42

Event

Authorities have announced the easing of certain coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Hong Kong from Friday, October 30. As of Friday, the number of people allowed to sit together at restaurants will increase to six, and four people will be permitted to be seated together at bars. Dining facilities will be permitted to remain open until 02:00 (local time). Entertainment businesses, including bars, amusement parks, swimming pools, and karaoke lounges, will be permitted to operate at 75 percent capacity, although venues must ensure social distancing measures and hygiene measures are observed. Public beaches will reopen officially from Tuesday, November 3, with social distancing regulations continuing, including the wearing of face masks and limits on group gatherings.

Face masks remain mandatory for all to wear in all public outdoor areas, on public transport, and in most indoor public areas. Some business facilities have reopened following enhanced social distancing and hygiene practices, though it remains encouraged for employees in the public and private sector to work from home. There is a ban on public gatherings of more than four people, with members of the same household exempt; this measure will continue until at least November 5. There are exceptions for some private gatherings, for example, weddings may allow up to 50 people without food, and local tour groups are permitted groups of up to 30 people. Places of worship and religious services have continued at a 50 percent capacity. Team sporting events can occur at designated facilities, including swimming pools, and are not limited to groups of four.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) has reopened with some transit flights also permitted. Transit flights from mainland China are permitted, if grouped in a single booking and the connection time is less than 24 hours, however transit flights to mainland China remain prohibited. Land border crossings with mainland China remain restricted; authorized travelers are permitted entry at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and Shenzhen Bay checkpoint only. Non-resident foreign nationals remain restricted in entering the territory. Travelers from Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China can enter Hong Kong, provided they have no recent history of travel elsewhere. Hong Kong has designated Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, the UK, and the US as high risk. Permitted passengers arriving from these locations must provide certain documents, including proof of negative COVID-19 results from a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure and a hotel booking for the quarantine period. Passengers will be tested upon and arrival and be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

As of Tuesday, October 27, there have been 5308 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hong Kong and 105 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized. 

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.