HONG KONG, CHINA. In big breaking news today, the Hong Kong government announced that it is scrapping mandatory hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals, effective 26 September.
Instead of the current ‘3+4’ (three days in a quarantine hotel and four at home for residents; three days in a quarantine hotel for visitors followed by four in a hotel of their choosing), those entering will only be required to undergo three days of home medical surveillance, with their movement citywide limited.
“Hong Kong is finally ending mandatory hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals after more than two years, marking the lifting of one of the world’s toughest pandemic-control regimes,” said South China Morning Post which broke the story.
The decision was announced today by recently elected Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. Lee said his administration is determined to reconnect the city with the world and reduce inconvenience to arriving passengers.
The news will be warmly welcomed by Hong Kong International Airport; its retail, F&B and hospitality partners including Duty Zero by cdf (China Duty Free Group and Lagardère Travel Retail), Gebr. Heinemann, The Shilla Duty Free, DFS Group, Dufry, SSP, Plaza Premium Group and others.
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) said in a statement this evening Hong Kong time that it welcomed the Government’s adjustment of quarantine arrangements for inbound passengers.
It added: “AAHK looks forward to the continuous recovery of air traffic. We are working closely with the airport community to prepare for the expected increase of flights and passengers.”
Travel retailers in other Hong Kong locations (DFS Group and Dufry) will also be pleased (as will a certain well-known travel retail publisher) though the real benefit to them will come once the Mainland Chinese start travelling again. Nonetheless this is a significant step in the right direction, one travel retail executive told us.
DFS Group told The Moodie Davitt Report. “We applaud the decision by the Hong Kong government to enable more convenience for travellers while continuing to manage the risks of the pandemic, and we are delighted that Hong Kong can resume its place as a highly desirable destination for visitors from around the world.
“We look forward to seeing more of our brand partners and our customers in the weeks and months to come, in the city that DFS has proudly called home since 1960.”
This is the third big boost to travel retail in the region in two days. Yesterday Taiwan and Japan confirmed the relaxation of travel curbs. From 11 October Japan will welcome foreign solo travellers and remove the cap on daily inbound arrivals. Taiwan also plans to remove its mandatory three-day quarantine and welcome all visitors by 13 October 1 at the earliest.
Hong Kong changes in detail
Incoming travellers under the new plan will only be required to go through a period of home medical surveillance, with their movement citywide limited. Tourists can stay in any hotel during the three-day medical surveillance period
Other key changes
- Residents not fully vaccinated will be allowed to fly back to Hong Kong
- Importantly, the cap on numbers of entries from Mainland China and Macau will be lifted and the scheme extended to the whole of the Mainland.
- Overseas travellers arriving in Hong Kong will be allowed to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of departure, instead of the previous requirement for a nucleic acid test (PCR) taken 48 hours before boarding.
- Arriving travellers need to get tested at the airport but do not need to wait for results there
- During the three-day period, they will be issued with a yellow code and cannot dine-in at restaurants or enter bars.
More to follow soon.
In June The Moodie Davitt Report launched a new quarterly eZine called The Moodie Davitt China Travel Retail Report. The cover story was dedicated to China Tourism Group. Click on the image to read the bi-lingual title. The next edition will be published in October and will feature a comprehensive follow-up on CTG Duty-Free’s Global Offering and Hong Kong secondary listing. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for a free first year subscription.
