Coronavirus: group tour visitors staying in Hong Kong for fewer than 4 days will only need 1 PCR test
- Chairwoman of the Travel Industry Council hails move a ‘good start’ in attracting tourists to the city
- Government is easing restrictions as it looks to strike a balance between epidemic risks and the need for economic development
Group tour members who visit Hong Kong for fewer than four days will only need to undergo one polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at the airport from Saturday amid a further easing of rules to attract inbound travellers.
The new arrangements for inbound travellers accompanied by licensed tour guides were revealed on Friday after the city’s authorities ironed out the details with the tourism sector, confirming an earlier Post report.
The city on Friday recorded 8,008 new Covid-19 infections, including 507 imported cases, as well as eight more deaths. Hong Kong’s total coronavirus tally now stands at 2,020,885 cases and 10,577 fatalities.
Among the latest cases was police chief Raymond Siu Chak-yee, who was previously infected in August. Security minister Chris Tang Ping-keung, customs chief Louise Ho Pui-shan, Commissioner for Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing and fire services director Andy Yeung Yan-kin were all identified as close contacts and placed under home isolation.
Earlier this month the government announced that group tour visitors would soon be allowed to enter designated attractions including restaurants, theme parks and museums while undergoing their three-day medical surveillance period.
The move came as the government looked to strike a balance between epidemic risks and the need for economic development.
