Coronavirus: why did Hong Kong suddenly decide to introduce a ‘0+0’ scheme after weeks of touting need for gradual change?
- Leader John Lee’s decision to lift a number of restrictions was undertaken without going through city’s key decision-making body, insiders say
- Just two days before announcement, health minister Lo Chung-mau insisted that both the app and vaccine pass scheme should still be kept in place
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu’s move to lift almost all travel restrictions for incoming arrivals was undertaken without going through the city’s key decision-making body and top health experts, the Post has learned.
He acted as soon as Beijing gave him the green light, sources said, in explaining the sudden shift towards the new “0+0” entry regime for arrivals announced on Tuesday.
Lee made the announcement and later health minister Lo Chung-mau and officials unveiled details of how visitors to Hong Kong could now move about freely in the city if they tested negative for Covid-19.
Residents would also no longer be required to use the “Leave Home Safe” risk-exposure app, but proof of vaccination would need to be shown for entry to certain premises, including restaurants and bars.
And yet, just two days before the announcement Lo had insisted both the app and the vaccine pass scheme should still be kept in place as they had played an important role in controlling the pandemic. He also said that the chance of a further reopening of the city’s border with mainland China before Lunar New Year next month was unlikely.
