The SUN HK : CE says no plan to stop masking, vaccine pass

08 November 2022

By The SUN

CE Lee says the '0+3' scheme has worked well in controlling the spread of the virus

Chief Executive John Lee has dashed hopes for a more drastic relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, saying masks and the vaccine pass under the health code system are here to stay – at least until the winter.

Speaking ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, CE Lee said that the current “0+3” arrangement for inbound travelers - meaning no quarantine but three days of restricted activities – has served its purpose well.

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He said that with this system in place, a lot of activities have already been taking place, including the recently concluded Rugby Sevens.

“It was a very successful event, and I think the international world has seen that Hong Kong has come back to the centre stage for international activities,” he said, adding that more and more tourists have been coming in.

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He also said, “Masks will stay on because I think all experts have indicated masks are important in controlling the spread of the disease.”

With winter approaching, and the possibility of the flu spreading at the same time as the coronavirus, he said people will need the additional “safety factor” that masks provide.

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However, he said the governments will continue to make special arrangements to allow some international events to take place, such as last week’s Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit and the Hong Kong Sevens.

Yesterday, the government also announced that inbound tour groups will be allowed to visit theme parks and eat at designated restaurants, even during the amber code restrictions on the first three days of their arrival.

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Meanwhile, the Centre for Health Protection reported 4,649 Covid-19 cases today, a slight decrease from Monday’s tally of 5,200.

The new infections included 399 travelers who just arrived in Hong Kong.

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Four more Covid-19 patients have died.

The government said new features have been added to online declaration platforms for Covid patients, which will require them to furnish names and mobile phone numbers of their household contacts.