Many regions around the world are scrambling to relax quarantine measures and move towards a return to normal.
Recently, the "3+4" measures are expected to be loosened again, and the Hong Kong government is actively considering the implementation of the "0+7" plan, which means that the existing quarantine hotels may be "successfully retired".
Cui Dingbang, Director of Quarantine Hotel Operations and Director-General of the Tourism Promotion Association, expects that the hotel revenue will drop sharply due to the failure of "0+7" to attract overseas tourists.
However, the global tourism industry is already in a retaliatory rebound. He hopes that the transition period will be as short as possible, and suggested that the government implement "0+0" as soon as possible to catch up with neighboring regions.
Respiratory specialist Leung Tsz-chao believes that if the epidemic in Hong Kong does not rebound, the number of imported cases remains small, and no new variants of the virus appear, then all measures can be relaxed, but they need to be relaxed gradually to avoid confusion in immigration arrangements and cause problems for the medical system. to bear.
He believes that due to the short transmission period of Omicron, each relaxation of measures does not need to be observed for too long, and stressed that the next two months are the prime time for relaxation.
▼The epidemic lasted for more than two years, and the airport was full of passenger planes▼
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Industry: Quarantine hotels are not a long-term solution, it's time to leave the comfort zone
Cui Dingbang, director of quarantine hotel operations and director-general of the Tourism Promotion Association, told Hong Kong 01 today (20th) that if the government implements the "0+7" entry arrangement, the task of quarantine hotels will be successfully completed.
He revealed that the hotel has not received any notice at this stage, emphasizing that it will continue to do all quarantine and infection prevention requirements until the end of the mission.
He sincerely thanked the previous government and the current Medical and Health Bureau for maintaining the quarantine hotel policy for the past two years, providing a place for the industry to "shelter from the wind and rain" during an epidemic like a "typhoon".
He pointed out that although he understands that after the implementation of "0+7", the cancellation of quarantine hotels will drastically reduce revenue, but he bluntly stated that quarantine hotels are not a long-term solution, and it is time to leave the comfort zone, "The storm seems to subside, and everyone expects to start again, but It will definitely hurt when you start, but it may not hurt.”
▼On August 8, the government announced the "3+4" quarantine arrangements for hotels for isolation▼
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Quarantine arrangements have been cancelled in many places, it is expected that "0+7" will still be difficult to attract foreign tourists
Cui Dingbang explained that quarantine arrangements have been cancelled in most parts of the world, and it is suggested that the government can plan a "0+0" timetable. Otherwise, business travelers and foreign tourists will still need to undergo 7-day medical monitoring, which will be a major reason for deterring people from visiting Hong Kong.
He pointed out that the recent arrival numbers have shown everything, even if the quarantine arrangement is reduced, the number of foreign tourists, including business tourists, is still only a few hundred per day.
Cui also said that after more than two and a half years of the epidemic, it is a foregone conclusion that Hong Kong will lose some of its advantages, such as the replacement of the air transport hub by Singapore, and believes that it is necessary to consolidate the existing advantages.
Recently, the Financial Secretary, Paul Chan, announced that he had recorded a fiscal deficit. He also worried that the government's revenue would not be able to support social welfare, housing construction and other expenditures.
▼September 14th, the first Japanese "semi-free travel" tour group departs ▼
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The global tourism industry retaliated against the industry: we have to catch the bus as soon as possible
In addition, the implementation of "0+7" will attract Hong Kong people to travel abroad, which means that part of their spending power will be transferred to overseas shopping, especially the exchange rate of the Japanese yen has hit a record low. Earlier, Hong Kong people have exchanged hundreds of thousands of yen to shop locally.
Cui Dingbang estimated that, in the absence of overseas tourists, the weakening of local consumption power will hit the weak retail industry again, and it will be difficult to boost the catering and transportation industries.
Cui Xiao said that he is a "Ka Ling fan". Although he does not expect the government to implement "0+0" in one step, he emphasizes that the complete switch is urgent, and he hopes that the transition period will be as short as possible.
He also pointed out that the global tourism industry has experienced a retaliatory rebound, and some regions have performed more strongly. For example, hotels in Singapore are full, and house prices have also soared. Therefore, he expects a recovery after "0+0", "so we must catch up as soon as possible. This bus will rebuild Hong Kong's economy."
Liang Zichao: It can be relaxed to "0+0" if three conditions are met
Respiratory specialist Leung Tsz-chao said that the current incidence and prevalent virus strains of the epidemic in Hong Kong are not far from those in other places, and he believes that there are conditions to relax all measures.
However, he stressed that the relaxation process needs to be done step by step, to avoid a sudden influx of tourists to Hong Kong, resulting in chaos in the arrangement of entry at the airport and burdening the medical system.
He suggested that if the epidemic situation in Hong Kong does not rebound after the relaxation to "0+7", the number of imported cases remains small, and no new variants of the virus appear, then the relaxation to "0+0" can be considered.
Call for a timetable to set a two-week observation period without drastic changes, it can be relaxed step by step
Liang explained that the current transmission cycle of Omicron is 3 to 4 days, so when it is relaxed to "0+7" one week later, the situation can be known, and it is not necessary to observe too long. If the epidemic does not change drastically within two weeks, then The restrictions can be further loosened, and the 48-hour negative nucleic acid test before arrival in Hong Kong can even be relaxed.
He also pointed out that he does not agree with the proposal of "0+3" and believes that there is no substantial data to support it. "One line is 0+7, and one line is 0+0."
Liang also pointed out that the current epidemic has entered the stage of terroirization, and herd immunity has been brought about. It can be seen that the effect will continue in the next 3 to 6 months. At the same time, the number of tourists has dropped after the summer vacation, and the risk of emerging dangerous variant viruses is low. Two months is the prime time to relax the measures, and the government can set a timetable for the industry to prepare.
"You can't wait too long to relax, because too much patience will cause uncertainty and it's hard to estimate. If you do it gradually, if there is no problem, you can't go to the next step?"
▼On July 25, those returning to Hong Kong at the airport are waiting to take a special bus to the quarantine hotel▼
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Manufacturers will be urged to relax to "0+7" or more aggressive solutions
The Manufacturers Association today urges the government to relax to "0+7", or even a more aggressive plan, and announce a "return to normal" roadmap.
Manufacturers will point out that with the relaxation or revocation of entry restrictions overseas, while the severe and fatality rates in Hong Kong continue to decline, and experts from all over the world believe that the virus will never disappear, they believe that the policy of "better tight than loose" is untenable and even overkill. , causing great trouble to society.
The Manufacturers' Association believes that Hong Kong's international competitiveness is being weakened, including attracting talents, finance, shipping, conventions and exhibitions, etc. Many large-scale international exhibitions based in Hong Kong have been forced to suspend or postpone, and have even been transferred to cities such as Singapore. , may "gone forever".
Promote the establishment of a roadmap for returning to normal
The chairman of the Manufacturers' Association, Mr. Shi Lide, believes that the local economy has nowhere to go, and it is imperative to fully switch on the Even with the support of consumer coupons, its boosting effect has begun to weaken.”
Shi suggested that it be expanded to "0+7" as soon as possible, and based on this, a transparent and clear "return to normal" roadmap should be developed, so that event organizers and the industry can deploy as soon as possible. For example, if the new measures have been implemented for half a month, If the epidemic has not rebounded or the mortality rate has dropped to a certain level, the requirement for home medical surveillance will be further reduced until it is on par with other places, and complete exemption from quarantine is achieved.
Quarantine "3+4" Implementation : The number of rooms will double after 3+4. Part of the transformation is expected
