As of today, December 29, 2022, the Hong Kong government announced that it will be opening and completely scrapping all pre/post-departure tests as well as quarantines.
Hong Kong Is Now Fully Open For Visitors
This is great news for everyone that Hong Hong, one of the most popular destinations in the world is not fully opened up to visitors. After three excruciating years of lockdown, the island is now scrapping all tests and beginning to welcome visitors.
The city will also scrap the vaccine pass concept, allowing everyone to visit freely around but face masks are still required to use in public areas. There will be no more social distancing anywhere and also if you test positive for COVID-19, you don’t have to quarantine anymore.
Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world to open up without entry restrictions as China reopened a day ago. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-Chiu said:
“We have always been preparing for normalisation. I have to do it progressively, orderly and under control, so we can assess the risk and go on … It’s not rapid. It’s not sudden.”
Hong Kong is set to reopen its border with mainland China on January 10 to fully resume cross-border travel progressively and in an orderly manner. However, there are also concerns with the border opening between the mainland as the number of infections are currently spiking out of the chart. This might backfire on the rate of Hong Kong’s COVID-19 infections.
Is It Safe To Travel To Hong Kong Now
Hong Kong is always my favorite stopover place with great hotels and activities to do. The airport also has my favorite lounge – The Cathay Pacific first class lounges with cabanas. So is it a good time to travel?
Despite my high interest to visit Hong Kong again after long three years, I would pursue planning for the trip for now. Just as I wanted to book flights to Hong Kong, countries are now taking measures for those who visit mainland China Hong Kong and Macau.
Summary
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive has officially announced the city will drop all tests and quarantines as of today, November 29, 2022. However, there are warnings from government officials that the healthcare system could be overburdened if the border is opened all at once.
Moreover, with the high number of cases within the mainland, countries are putting entry restrictions for visitors or residents after visiting China including Hong Kong and Macau.
