Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attends the press conference of the Anti-epidemic Command and Coordination Group in Central Government Office on Aug 8, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said on Monday it would shorten the COVID-19 hotel quarantine period for all arrivals to three days from seven, taking another step in slowly unwinding stringent pandemic rules.

The measures will be effective from Friday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, told a press conference.

Arrivals will need to self monitor for a further four days, during which they will be forbidden to enter such premises as restaurants and bars

Arrivals will need to self monitor for a further four days, during which they will be forbidden to enter such premises as restaurants and bars.

"We need to balance between people's livelihood and the competitiveness of Hong Kong to give the community maximum momentum and economic vitality," Lee said.

People in quarantine will be issued a red code on a government mandated app. This will change to a yellow code once they leave quarantine, signifying they may not enter crowded premises.It will automatically turn “blue” if a visitor is tested negative after seven days.

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Those with the “yellow” code can take public transport and go to work or visit shopping malls and wet markets. But, they cannot enter premises that require a vaccine pass, including restaurants, bars, fitness centers, playgrounds and indoor entertainment venues.

Lee said the SAR government has taken into account all the risks and the new initiatives are in the city’s best interests, striking a balance between pandemic control and Hong Kong’s economic development.

Shares in flagship carrier Cathay Pacific Airways leapt as much as 3.5 percent after the announcement on Monday to HK$8.77, the biggest daily percentage rise since June 28.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the original 7-day hotel quarantine is no longer cost-effective in Hong Kong’s efforts to reopen links with the international community as the number of positive cases detected among those under quarantine was very low.

(From left) Deputy Secretary for Health (Special Duties) Vincent Fung; Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau; Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu; Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong; and Deputy Government Chief Information Officer Tony Wong attend the press conference of the Anti-epidemic Command and Coordination Group in Central Government Office on Aug 8, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

According to official data, only 4 percent of incoming travelers have been confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, with half of them detected through nucleic acid tests at the airport. Another 30 percent were confirmed on the second day of their hotel quarantine, and less than 1 percent on the third day and afterwards.

Lo said arrivals are also required to self monitor for 3 days after the first week. They will need to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test daily for ten days, as well as five nucleic acid tests — on the day of their arrival in Hong Kong, the second, fourth, sixth and ninth day.

When asked how government would ensure that travelers take the RAT and nucleic acid tests at home, Lo warned that violating a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offense, with offenders liable to 6 months imprisonment and a fine of HK$25,000 ($3,185). The government will deploy more manpower to ensure that the new measures are enforced.

Lee added that the HKSAR government is doing its best in discussions about resuming quarantine-free travel with the Chinese mainland, but the details could not be disclosed until a consensus has been reached.

READ MORE: Fresh cases push HK's COVID-19 tally past 5,000 mark

He said the SAR has to comply with the mainland’s anti-pandemic policy and will try to explain Hong Kong’s situation to the mainland authorities to minimize any inconvenience when quarantine-free travel resumes.

Lo said travelers who have already booked a week’s hotel quarantine can still proceed with their trip to Hong Kong. Their hotels will give a refund if they are fit to leave after three days of quarantine. 

The HKSAR reported 4,274 new COVID-19 cases and five deaths involving elderly people on Aug 7, bringing the city’s infection toll during the fifth wave of the pandemic to 9,327.

Hong Kong's popular international Rugby Sevens event will take place November 4-6 for the first time in more than three years. It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of pandemic measures.

The tournament, which is a draw for international visitors, is meant to coincide with a major banking conference that month to be attended by top global executives and will be a sign that Hong Kong can resume business as normal.

With inputs from Agencies