Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced the content of the "mid-term review" of the epidemic prevention measures at a press conference on the epidemic today (March 21), including the gradual lifting of most social distancing measures in three stages starting from April 21, and announced the suspension of all social distancing measures. Strong inspection.
This article briefly lists the four key points of the measures announced by Carrie Lam to help readers quickly understand.
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1. All people forced to check and stop the brakes
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced the suspension of the nationwide testing plan, saying that a lot of preparation work has been done, including the assessment of venues and manpower. If it continues, it will be on an unprecedented scale. However, considering the opinions of experts from the two places, it should be done at the beginning or the end of the outbreak, so you can control the time. It is very important. The former is used to curb the spread of the epidemic as soon as possible, and the mainland often uses the time of forced inspection; the latter is used to "clear" and identify the remaining infected persons.
She pointed out that although the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has eased, it is still at a high level. Experts say that a lot of resources should not be invested here. Mainland experts also said that Hong Kong's community organization ability is weak, and it does not have "communities" like the mainland. a household".
The government will continue to study and judge, and will restart when the time is right.
▼On March 20, the enclosure inspection of Aida Building, On Tat Village, Kwun Tong▼
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2. Relax social distancing measures in three months and three phases
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that a roadmap for returning to normal has been set, and that most social distancing measures will be lifted in phases after April 21, with three months to go. Country parks and beaches, etc.
The first phase will reopen all catering premises and scheduled premises (including amusement arcade centres, fitness centres, places of amusement, places of public entertainment, beauty and massage parlors, sports premises, Activity venues and religious premises), venues under the LCSD, museums, etc., masks are still required to enter the premises.
In addition to dining, a maximum of 4 people can gather in other places, 4 people can be 1 table for dine-in in the evening market, and bars must still be closed until the second stage.
The second stage is the reopening of the remaining premises. The gathering limit will be relaxed to 8 people. Beaches and swimming pools under the LCSD will be reopened. Masks are not required when exercising in sports premises and fitness centers. From 10:00 to 12:00, the upper limit will be increased from 4 to 8; bars can be reopened from the evening market to 12:00.
The third stage is to relax the number of remaining customers, basically only need to use safe travel and vaccine passes, premises to be cleaned, restrictions on gatherings in public places and mask orders, etc.
Carrie Lam pointed out that even if the relaxation is reached to the final stage, the government will still insist, such as the continued need to use safe travel, vaccine passes, cleaning of specified premises, restrictions on gatherings in public places, and masks.
She also made it clear that at this stage, there is no room for further relaxation of these measures earlier.
▼The government announced that social distancing measures will not be relaxed before April 20▼
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3. Revocation of the no-fly order, the number of quarantine days can be shortened
Under the fifth wave of the epidemic, the government earlier implemented a flight circuit breaker mechanism to 9 countries (Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States) until April 20, prohibiting civil aviation aircraft from relevant areas from landing in Hong Kong .
Lin Zheng pointed out that the circuit breaker mechanism is out of date, and the no-fly order will be lifted from April 1.
From April 1, overseas Hong Kong residents who have completed the vaccination must have a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 48 hours before boarding, and must book a quarantine hotel for at least 7 nights before boarding.
After arriving at the Hong Kong Airport, people arriving in Hong Kong need to undergo nucleic acid testing at the airport and wait for the result. If the result is negative, they will be issued a 14-day "quarantine order", and then take a special car to the booked quarantine hotel; During the hotel period, a daily rapid antigen test is required, and a nucleic acid test is required on the 5th and 12th days. If the nucleic acid test on the 5th day and the rapid test results on the 6th and 7th days are negative, you can leave the quarantine hotel early. .
If the above-mentioned persons choose to leave the quarantine hotel early, they must undergo 7-day self-monitoring, and go to the community testing center for nucleic acid testing on the 12th day of arrival; if they continue to stay in the quarantine hotel, they will undergo nucleic acid testing in the hotel on the 12th day , If the result is negative, you can leave the quarantine hotel on the 14th day.
▼The Hong Kong government plans to relax social distancing measures in stages from April 21▼
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4. Resume face-to-face classes
All schools in Hong Kong can resume face-to-face classes after the originally scheduled Easter holiday, that is, April 19 at the earliest. Primary schools, international schools and kindergartens are the first to resume face-to-face teaching; secondary schools must wait for the completion of the core subjects of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (DSE). Face-to-face teaching was resumed, and the goal is to start the test on April 22.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor: The arrangements for the election of the chief executive have not changed for the time being. Unable to explain the Hongmenyan investigation on behalf of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
