Hong Kong Government to ease pandemic restrictions for tour groups

The Hong Kong Government is aiming to encourage the return of tour groups by exempting travellers in tour groups from Covid-19 rules that prevent new arrivals from going to venues during the first three days of their visit.

On Monday, the Hong Kong Government advised that the new measures were announced “under the principle of striking a balance between epidemic risks and the need for economic development.” Individuals, and those not in group tours, will still be subject to the usual rules.

No timeline was given for the relaxation, other than advice that the arrangements will be launched “this month.”

Currently, all inbound travellers to Hong Kong are assigned an amber code in their Vaccine Pass app for the first three days. This means they are not allowed to enter venues operating under the Vaccine Pass scheme, including restaurants, bars, gyms, salons and other businesses.

Under the new arrangements, those entering Hong Kong in tour groups operated by “licensed tourist guides” will be able to enter “designated tourist attractions” including theme parks, museums and temples with an amber code in their Vaccine Pass.

Arrivals will also be able to eat in the “partitioned areas” of “designated catering premises” that meet the government’s requirements.

Tour groups’ travel agents must pre-register trip itineraries with the Travel Industry Council, a group that regulates travel agents in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong athorities said they are also exploring the possibility of reducing the number of Covid-19 tests tour group travellers have to undergo fewer Covid-19 tests upon arrival.

While Hong Kong has dropped many of its strictest travel-related Covid-19 measures in recent months, including a requirement for arrivals to quarantine in a hotel, the city still maintains rules that countries around the world have long abandoned.

The Hong Kong Government said plans to relax rules for travellers coming in with tour groups would move the administrative region towards resuming normalcy and restarting tourism.