Since the epidemic, the exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland and overseas have been greatly affected, and the community is concerned regarding when the SAR government will clear customs with the mainland and overseas. Chief Executive Li Jiachao said that the government decided to shorten the number of quarantine days. He also pointed out that customs clearance with overseas and the mainland “must be done in both aspects” and are not mutually exclusive. The Convenor of the Executive Council, Ip Lau Suk-yi, said that she supports the government in shortening the quarantine days for overseas arrivals, and expects the authorities to announce details in the short term.
Li Jiachao said in an interview with the newspaper that, as an open society, one of the main points for Hong Kong to maintain its competitiveness is to keep pace with international standards. As for whether Hong Kong will clear customs first with overseas or with the mainland, Li Jiachao pointed out that both aspects should be done without contradiction and should be fully promoted.
He pointed out that the priority is to study how to minimize different restrictions as soon as possible so that Hong Kong can resume normal social and economic activities and regain its competitiveness. One of the measures is to shorten the quarantine period to reduce the inconvenience of tourists returning to Hong Kong. As for how many days will be shortened, he said that at present, he has to review the data of various parties with the Medical and Health Bureau and the Hospital Authority before making a decision.
Li Jiachao also said that he has been in constant communication with the mainland government on customs clearance with the mainland. It is necessary to establish a foundation of mutual trust first, and then it depends on the consensus between the two sides. He bluntly said that he understands that quarantine measures will bring inconvenience to travelers, but other factors must be considered when relaxing control measures, including protecting high-risk groups, not overloading the medical system, and will not affect the freedom of other people who are not infected. As for when new anti-epidemic measures will be announced, he said: “As soon as there are, do it as soon as possible, it’s a race once morest time.”
Regarding the authorities’ plan to add a “red and yellow code” to “Travel with Peace of Mind”, Li Jiachao pointed out that following the confirmed person is converted to a “red code”, not only must they wear an electronic wristband, but they must not leave the designated premises at all. The “yellow code” includes overseas arrivals and close contacts to limit high-risk activities and reduce the risk of transmission.
Ye Liu: “Red and Yellow Codes” Must Cover Close Contacts
The Convenor of the Executive Council, Ip Lau Suk-yee, said yesterday that imported cases only account for a few percent of the total cases. She strongly supports the government in shortening the number of quarantine days for overseas arrivals. She pointed out that the government is making intensive preparations and is expected to announce details in the short term.
She also pointed out that while the government has relaxed the number of quarantine days for tourists, it also needs to ensure that infected people will not flow into the community, so as not to overload the services of the Hospital Authority. She agreed that the “red and yellow codes” must cover people entering the country and close contacts to more accurately prevent the virus from flowing into the community; she also believed that if the measures were effective, the number of quarantine days might be gradually shortened.
Originally published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/local/Withinland overseas customs clearance is not mutually exclusive-Li Jiachao-will shorten the number of quarantine days/331532
