Hong Kong to let in non-residents starting May 1, but with quarantine

After lifting suspensions on flights from nine overseas locations on April 1, Hong Kong now plans to let in non-residents from all countries starting May 1. In the past month, average daily arrivals have risen in the territory to about 1,200 from 300, according to the Hong Kong government’s Covid website.

The ban on non-residents has been in place since March 2020, though it was briefly lifted for travellers from certain places. The territory is said to have the world’s strictest Covid-19 travel rules. Its government has admitted that it knows people are critical of the rules.

“…too harsh, leading to suspensions of different routes and easily disrupting the itineraries of people coming back to Hong Kong”.

Starting May 1, arrivals must take a Covid antigen test at the airport, and those who are negative can head to a designated quarantine hotel for seven days.

Hong Kong is…