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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong to scrap almost all its Covid rules | Hong Kong to scrap almost all its Covid rules |
| (4 months later) | |
| The vaccine pass system is one of the measures being scrapped in Hong Kong from 29 December | The vaccine pass system is one of the measures being scrapped in Hong Kong from 29 December |
| Hong Kong is dropping almost all its Covid restrictions this week, following a similar move by mainland China. | Hong Kong is dropping almost all its Covid restrictions this week, following a similar move by mainland China. |
| From Thursday, people arriving in the city - a special administrative region of China - will no longer have to do mandatory PCR tests. | From Thursday, people arriving in the city - a special administrative region of China - will no longer have to do mandatory PCR tests. |
| The vaccine pass system will also be scrapped - but compulsory masks in public places will continue. | The vaccine pass system will also be scrapped - but compulsory masks in public places will continue. |
| It is a dramatic move by the city, which once had some of the toughest restrictions in the world. | It is a dramatic move by the city, which once had some of the toughest restrictions in the world. |
| Also being scrapped from Thursday is the rule that limits the number of people allowed to gather outside to 12. | Also being scrapped from Thursday is the rule that limits the number of people allowed to gather outside to 12. |
| This was increased from four people in October as part of measures to begin reopening the city. | This was increased from four people in October as part of measures to begin reopening the city. |
| From September: Hong Kong to end Covid hotel quarantine policy | From September: Hong Kong to end Covid hotel quarantine policy |
| Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, cited high vaccine rates as one of the reasons for lifting restrictions. | Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, cited high vaccine rates as one of the reasons for lifting restrictions. |
| According to government figures, 93% of the population have had two vaccine doses, while more than 83% have received three. | According to government figures, 93% of the population have had two vaccine doses, while more than 83% have received three. |
| But only 64% of people over 80 - the most vulnerable age group - have had three doses. | But only 64% of people over 80 - the most vulnerable age group - have had three doses. |
| Unlike mainland China, which has developed its own vaccines, Hong Kong has also used mRNA vaccines - including the BioNTech jab made in Germany - that have been shown to be more effective. | Unlike mainland China, which has developed its own vaccines, Hong Kong has also used mRNA vaccines - including the BioNTech jab made in Germany - that have been shown to be more effective. |
| "Hong Kong has a sufficient amount of medicine to fight Covid, and healthcare workers have gained rich experience in facing the pandemic," Mr Lee said on Wednesday. | "Hong Kong has a sufficient amount of medicine to fight Covid, and healthcare workers have gained rich experience in facing the pandemic," Mr Lee said on Wednesday. |
| "The society has established a relatively extensive and overall anti-epidemic barrier." | "The society has established a relatively extensive and overall anti-epidemic barrier." |
| Mr Lee added that instead of the vaccine pass, which has limited access to public places for unvaccinated since it was introduced in February, the city would take "more targeted measures" - including promoting vaccination for the elderly and children. | Mr Lee added that instead of the vaccine pass, which has limited access to public places for unvaccinated since it was introduced in February, the city would take "more targeted measures" - including promoting vaccination for the elderly and children. |
| More than 11,000 people have died with Covid in Hong Kong, according to official numbers, from more than 2.5m cases. | More than 11,000 people have died with Covid in Hong Kong, according to official numbers, from more than 2.5m cases. |
| Since the pandemic began, the city has largely followed mainland China's lead in efforts to tackle the virus, including attempts to eliminate it with a "zero-Covid" strategy. | Since the pandemic began, the city has largely followed mainland China's lead in efforts to tackle the virus, including attempts to eliminate it with a "zero-Covid" strategy. |
| This has been criticised by some residents and business owners - who said the policy damaged Hong Kong's economy and international standing. | This has been criticised by some residents and business owners - who said the policy damaged Hong Kong's economy and international standing. |
| The scrapping of the Hong Kong's Covid restrictions comes weeks after mainland China made a similar move following landmark protests against the strict controls. | The scrapping of the Hong Kong's Covid restrictions comes weeks after mainland China made a similar move following landmark protests against the strict controls. |
| On Monday and Tuesday, Beijing announced further plans to ease travel restrictions. Hong Kong has said that it will fully reopen its borders with the rest of China before mid-January. | On Monday and Tuesday, Beijing announced further plans to ease travel restrictions. Hong Kong has said that it will fully reopen its borders with the rest of China before mid-January. |
| The mainland is currently experiencing a surge in cases, with reports suggesting hospitals are overwhelmed and elderly people are dying. | The mainland is currently experiencing a surge in cases, with reports suggesting hospitals are overwhelmed and elderly people are dying. |
| Hong Kong is part of China and is governed by the "one country, two systems" principle, but Beijing has tightened control in recent years. | Hong Kong is part of China and is governed by the "one country, two systems" principle, but Beijing has tightened control in recent years. |
| Covid and Hong Kong's cage men | Covid and Hong Kong's cage men |
| From May: How Hong Kong's 'cage men' were hit hard by Omicron | From May: How Hong Kong's 'cage men' were hit hard by Omicron |
| From May: How Hong Kong's 'cage men' were hit hard by Omicron | From May: How Hong Kong's 'cage men' were hit hard by Omicron |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| China | |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| Coronavirus | Coronavirus |