Regina Ip expects HK to adopt ‘0+0’ scheme for travelers in October

Hong Kong could further relax travel curbs by adopting a “0+0” quarantine scheme in October provided Covid-19 cases do not rebound, said New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.

The lawmaker, also the convenor of the Executive Council, said the possible travel curbs relaxation is purely her own prediction and was not discussed by members of the executive council.

With some 2,000 Covid patients still hospitalized in Hong Kong, Ip noted that the SAR government has to strike a balance between health and economy, as well as protect the elderly and young ones in the city.

“It is difficult for the government to come up with a road map for its anti-epidemic strategies now,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ip said despite Hong Kong‘s competitiveness being impeded by its Covid rules, the city still has its own attractiveness, along with a connection to the huge mainland market.

Only a small number of multinational enterprises decided to relocate their offices out of Hong Kong for good, while many business chambers had expressed their desire for an earlier and full border reopening - reflecting that they are willing to return to the city to develop their businesses, she added.

Separately, commenting on the city’s social distancing measures, Ip said the easing will happen “sooner or later”, whereas authorities will have to look into statistics to make it happen.

She said the Covid rules for restaurants could be the first to be relaxed, followed by the lifting of the restrictions on live performances. The mask mandate could only be removed at a later time, she noted.