After nearly three years of some of the strictest and longest-running anti-COVID-19 regulations in the world, Hong Kong has finally ended its quarantine for all international tourists.
Arrivals now only need to self-monitor for three days from arrival at a place of their choice. They do not have to isolate during this time but may be restricted from accessing places like bars or restaurants.
Visitors no longer need to provide proof of a negative PCR test, but have to obtain a negative rapid antigen test within 24 hours before departure for Hong Kong.
Arrivals must still undergo a PCR test on days two, four and six after arrival in addition to a rapid antigen test every day for a week.
“We hope to give the maximum room to reconnect Hong Kong, and to revitalise our economy,” said Hong Kong Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu.
Asia slowly reopens
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently said his nation would remove the cap on the number of people entering the country and resume accepting individual travel and visa-free travel from October 11. Short-term tourists no longer need a tourist visa and do not have to book through a tour operator or travel agency to be allowed to travel.
Japan has done away with its requirement for a negative COVID test result from all arrivals, and more than doubled its cap on the number of arrivals allowed every day from 20 000 to 50 000 visitors.
Taiwan, too, scrapped mandatory quarantine for all arrivals from October 13.
