Hong Kong to ease majority of Covid-19 restrictions from December 29

After China eased Covid-19 restrictions, Hong Kong is following suit and scrapping most of its curbs this week.

Starting December 29, mandatory PCR tests will no longer be needed for individuals arriving in the city.

Instead of PCR tests, travellers will required to take daily rapid antigen Covid tests for first five days as a health recommendation, said Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee at a news conference.

Wearing masks will still be compulsory in public places and limitations on number of people allowed to gather outside will be removed too.

It is an important move by the city, seeing as how it had some of the toughest Covid-19 restrictions in the world.

Lee attributed easing of restrictions to high vaccine rates. Over 80% of the city has at least three doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Mainland China has relaxed measures in recent weeks and Hong Kong is preparing for the January reopening of its border with China, which had previously imposed harsh restrictions and snap lockdowns to stamp out the virus.

(with AP inputs)

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