Hong Kong, Beijing must reopen border slowly to prevent new Covid wave, warn experts, politicians ahead of John Lee’s meeting with state leaders
- Health expert Professor David Hui calls for triple-jab requirement for all arrivals, quota for those coming from mainland to safeguard public healthcare system
- Political commentators, meanwhile, predict state leaders will recognise Chief Executive John Lee’s efforts to meet expectations set by President Xi Jinping
Any easing of restrictions along Hong Kong’s border with mainland China should be done gradually to prevent a wave of Covid-19 infections, health experts and politicians have said, as the city’s leader headed to Beijing where travel curbs are expected to top discussions with central authorities.
Government health adviser Professor David Hui Shu-cheong on Wednesday suggested implementing a triple-jab requirement for all inbound travellers and a daily quota for those coming from the mainland to reduce the risk of coronavirus infections and safeguard the public healthcare system.
“If inbound travellers are not fully vaccinated, the risk of them becoming infected and requiring hospitalisation will be high,” he said.
The mainland is battling a wave of infections that has put pressure on its healthcare system after Beijing rolled back strict Covid-19 policies, with some experts warning that more than 2 million deaths could occur as a result.
Hui also advised that mainland visitors only be allowed to enter Hong Kong through either the airport, the high-speed rail link or via the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint.
Citing past coronavirus waves in Hong Kong and Singapore following the easing of curbs, the health expert said the local government needed to monitor the mainland’s epidemic situation and adjust immigration policies accordingly.
“Usually when there is a serious outbreak in a country, new variants or subvariants can emerge. The Hong Kong government also needs to watch out as to whether this would happen on the mainland,” he said.
