Yesterday, I wrote about China’s removal of quarantine for inbound travellers effective 8 January 2023, and how that left Hong Kong with stricter Covid-related entry requirements than China. I speculated that situation wouldn’t last for long and sure enough, Hong Kong will drop all its arrival and post-arrival testing requirements, effective today 29 December 2022. Along with the relaxed entry requirements, Hong Kong will also scrap its vaccine pass.
What’s changing and what’s the new entry requirements?
The main change is the removal of the arrival and day 2 PCR tests, and the daily rapid antigen self-test and reporting until day 5. While quarantine on arrival had been removed in September, and movement restrictions lifted earlier this month, this strict arrival testing regime had remained, which are now being scrapped.
Inbound air travellers will now only need to be fully vaccinated (list of recognised vaccines here) and show a negative pre-departure test (PDT) in the form of either: 1) a rapid antigen test taken within 24h before flight departure, or 2) a PCR-based nucleic acid test taken with 48h from departure. While the PDT requirement has been retained, this honestly isn’t a significant or expensive hurdle given that rapid antigen tests are accepted.
Besides the change in entry requirements, the vaccine pass has also been scrapped. Previously, this was needed to enter venues such as restaurants, bars and nightclubs. This should make it more convenient for foreigners, and locals, to go about their activities. In addition, other social distancing rules such as the limit of 12 people gathering in public will also be lifted. All these changes take effect today as well.
My thoughts on these changes
The Hong Kong authorities have stated these changes are partly a result of the high vaccination rate the city has achieved. This may be true, but – without delving heavily into politics – Hong Kong has followed mainland China’s lead throughout the pandemic, and simply has to follow China recent steps in removing nearly all Covid restrictions. The reopening of the border with mainland China is probably Hong Kong’s top priority, so it wouldn’t make sense to have different and stricter rules than the mainland.
Regardless of the reasons and timing, it’s a good move to see Hong Kong open again. The rather onerous testing requirements made Hong Kong an unattractive destination relative to fully open countries. i’m not convinced foreigners will suddenly return to Hong Kong in large droves though. Prior to the pandemic, it was already slowly losing it’s shine due to the political changes and unrest. Furthermore, with its border with mainland China reopening as well, it should be expected that there will be a lot of cross-border movement. Given the Covid situation in China now, Hong Kong might see new waves as well.
Personally, I’ve been toying with the idea of a short trip to Hong Kong in the first half of 2023. I used to visit Hong Kong for short leisure trips almost annually for many years, with the most recent being in May 2019. I haven’t decided on anything, though these changes have certainly removed some of my reluctance to travel there. My main concern now is what the border reopening will do to the Covid situation and travel environment in Hong Kong. I’m also keeping an eye now on hotel rates, airfares and award availability. I haven’t seen much changes yet, and availability on both Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific between Singapore and Hong Kong still looks good. This seems to validate my suspicion that foreigners just aren’t that keen to head there yet.
Conclusion
Hong Kong has scrapped its strict arrival testing requirements, removing a major hurdle for would-be visitors The vaccine pass is history too. It’s now a lot easier to get in, and get about with one’s activities.
Yum cha or a bowl of wanton noodles anyone?