Business guests returning to Hong Kong are exempted from compulsory quarantine. The government will open applications next week for a limit of two persons per company

Political situation

Written by: Zheng Rongdi Lin Jian

2020-04-29 14:21

The government yesterday decided to extend the 14-day compulsory quarantine regulations for people arriving from the Mainland and Macau to June 7, but cross-border school children arriving in the Mainland and business immigrants who are "related to the economic interests of Hong Kong" will be exempted from mandatory quarantine. .

The Secretary for Food and Health, Chen Zhaoshi, said today (29th) that the relevant conditions include the need for people arriving in Hong Kong to hold proof that they have completed quarantine for no less than 14 days in the local area and a negative reaction to the new coronavirus. She pointed out that the SAR Government is discussing with the relevant authorities, and will announce the implementation details and date details later. Chen Zhaoshi emphasized that the exempt person must be subject to medical monitoring by the Department of Health during his stay in Hong Kong, wear masks, take temperature and report to the Department of Health.

Qiu Tenghua, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, said that a plan will be launched next week to allow Hong Kong businessmen who need to travel between China and Hong Kong to apply.

Chen Zhaoshi. (Photo by Lu Yiming)

Qiu Tenghua: If the epidemic situation is repeated, it will adjust the exemption and quarantine arrangements

The Chief Executive in Council has approved the extension of the effective date of Chapter 599C "Compulsory Quarantine Regulations for Certain Arrivals" from May 7 to June 7. Simultaneously exempt two types of people from compulsory quarantine, including any registered arrivals in schools under the Education Ordinance, kindergarten, primary and secondary education, or those who provide education or travel safely, such as cross-border students and related Service providers, etc .; the other is those who have production operations, business activities or provide professional services that are in the interest of Hong Kong's economic development.

Secretary for Food and Health Chen Zhaoshi, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Qiu Tenghua and Secretary for Education Yang Runxiong (29) met with the media in the Legislative Council to explain the new regulations. Qiu Tenghua said that the recent epidemic situation has been stable and mitigated, and the mainland epidemic situation has improved, giving the government an opportunity to consider whether there is room for economic and trade activities between the two places in a prudent and cautious environment, and there are legal exemptions.

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Qiu Tenghua, Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development Bureau. (Photo by Lu Yiming)

Two places per company

Qiu Tenghua said that taking into account the specific situation of the epidemic and the actual needs of the business community does not mean that business people in the two places can freely travel. For example, he pointed out that due to the epidemic situation, some Hong Kong businessmen who set up manufacturing industries in the Mainland have not been able to return to the Mainland since January, leading to the inability to carry out important work, and many production lines were shut down. The Chamber of Commerce and Economics will design a plan for Hong Kong businessmen who set up factories in the Mainland. Hong Kong businessmen must apply through the Trade and Industry Department. Applicants should submit a certificate to the authorities confirming that they are Hong Kong registered companies with production lines in the Mainland, and they do need to travel to and from Hong Kong. To carry out activities with the Mainland, each company has 2 places, including the person in charge of the company or its designated personnel. Applicants must stay in the city where they set up their factories and must undergo medical monitoring after returning to Hong Kong.

Qiu Tenghua said that he was consulting with major chambers of commerce recently, hoping to propose specific plans early next week, and that he would consult the Department of Health when approving applications. If the epidemic is repeated, the arrangement will be adjusted in due course; after the exempted person arrives in Hong Kong, It must also be subject to medical supervision.

Guo Jiaqi, a member of the Citizens ’Legislative Council. (Photo by Lu Yiming)

Yang Runxiong said that the authorities did not apply for cross-border schoolchildren's exemption from the 14th emphasis on quarantine arrangements, so currently no quarantine-free cross-border schoolchildren will come to Hong Kong. The Education Bureau will consider the opinions of experts and respond to the development of the epidemic, and announce the details and arrangements in due course.

Guo Jiaqi, a member of the Citizens ’Legislative Council, said that the relaxation of restrictions will result in a ridiculous phenomenon. Hong Kong people also have to quarantine for 14 days when they go to Shenzhen. Hong Kong itself opens its doors wide," not even as good as Shenzhen. " He also questioned that the government made the decision without asking the opinions of the expert advisory panel, which is an insult to these experts who are respected by everyone.

Chen Zhaoshi Qiu Tenghua New Coronary Pneumonia of Food and Health Bureau