Hong Kong has lifted all mandatory PCR test requirements for inbound travellers upon arrival from Thursday (December 29).
The change follows news that quarantine for travellers to China will be scrapped from January 8, as authorities continue to ease the country’s zero-Covid policy.
The city of Hong Kong – which is a special administrative region of China – has also dropped the need for its vaccine pass, which allowed access to specified premises and other measures.
Visitors are now only required to present negative results from PCR tests conducted within 48 hours or rapid antigen tests (RAT) within 24 hours before their flights to Hong Kong.
Daily antigen tests on the first five days are voluntary.
Restrictions on the size of groups in public have been lifted so only the mask mandate remains in effect.
Dr Pang Yiu-kai, chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said: “The new measures mark a key milestone for tourism revival and the full reopening of the tourism doors of Hong Kong.
“We believe this will attract visitors to Hong Kong from around the world. Taking into account the pace of outbound travel resumption in different visitor source markets, HKTB will gradually step up its promotions worldwide to uphold Hong Kong’s status as a world-class travel destination.”
Meanwhile, the US has become the latest country to impose Covid testing on visitors from China.
The BBC reported that Italy, Japan, Taiwan and India have also announced mandatory tests, but Australia and UK have not imposed new rules for travellers from China.
According to the Telegraph, UK transport and home office officials will consider on Thursday whether the UK should follow the US and other countries in imposing Covid restrictions on travellers arriving from China.
Commenting on the US curbs, Geoff Freeman, US Travel Association president and chief executive, said: “We look forward to welcoming Chinese travellers back to the United States.
“The Biden administration’s highly targeted Covid testing approach is reasonable and appreciated.”
Picture of Hong Kong by Rad Radu/shutterstock.com