Hong Kong may ‘substantially’ cut quarantine period for certain pets, minister says
Environment chief Tse Chin-wan says government is also looking at feasibility of allowing private sector to operate some quarantine facilities
The quarantine period for certain cats and dogs being imported into Hong Kong could be “substantially shortened” by measures such as rabies vaccines and antibody testing under a proposal being prepared by the government, the environment chief has said.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan also said on Wednesday that authorities were considering the feasibility of allowing the private sector to operate some quarantine facilities for the pets and would strive to launch a pilot scheme in the first half of next year.
Pets currently arriving from countries or places considered high-risk areas, such as mainland China, Macau and Malaysia, must undergo 120 days of quarantine before being allowed entry into the city.
Asked how much the period would be shortened by, the environment chief declined to give specifics but said it could be “substantial” after due consideration of certain suggestions had been “finalised”.
“We promise that the period can be substantially shortened. But of course, we can only reveal the details after finalising some suggestions with different regions,” he said.
