Hong Kong has relaxed many of its strict coronavirus policies in recent months, including a hotel quarantine for international arrivals since September 26. However, international arrivals are still subject to multiple tests for the coronavirus and barred from entering bars, restaurants and venues such as sports clubs for the first three days. The government said specific arrangements for visiting tourists would begin this month, without specifying a start date. “Relevant arrangements can support the gradual resumption of the inbound travel market in an orderly manner and provide a more favorable business environment for the travel trade,” the government said. The announcement came after Hong Kong last week hosted a high-profile financial conference for which more than 200 financial executives who flew to the former British colony were exempted from Hong Kong’s rules on international arrivals. Many local residents have pointed out inconsistencies in government policy and said authorities should lift restrictions for everyone equally. Hong Kong’s economy has been hit by nearly three years of coronavirus restrictions with many small and medium-sized businesses closing.
