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Letters

Focusing on reopening the border with mainland China, as Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said in her policy address, may look like the sensible thing to do for Hong Kong but it is not.
Although Hong Kong is best in class in keeping Covid-19 infections at (almost) zero, this is still not enough to open the border with mainland China for at least another four to five months. And even when the border opens, the conditions for travel, probably including a tracing app, may not be acceptable for most in Hong Kong.
Second, we will never know how long the border will stay open because a small outbreak can close it again. This will make travelling to the mainland a risky operation.
Third, the cost of focusing on mainland China is that Hong Kong stays cut off from the rest of the world and suffers serious economic impact.
The other option – opening up quarantine-free travel corridors with other countries – can happen right now. Singapore, several European countries and others have done this or are in the process of it. These countries will not close their border to Hong Kong if it reports a small outbreak.
These conditions make travel to these countries acceptable for most in Hong Kong – the risk of being stuck abroad is low. It will also give Hong Kong an economic and morale boost.
It’s clear that mainland China is not ready to open its borders. However, keeping the border closed with Hong Kong has a much bigger impact on Hong Kong than on the mainland. Hong Kong should have the option to reconnect with the rest of the world first.
Tom Uiterwaal, Sai Kung
City’s economy and reputation are suffering
Hong Kong’s Covid-19 case numbers continue to be close to the lowest in the world, yet the government refuses to let in residents who are fully vaccinated – and even those who have taken booster shots – without being confined in a government-approved quarantine hotel, many of which are already fully booked for weeks and sometimes months ahead.
This is damaging to the Hong Kong economy and undermines its reputation for good management.
Despite a somewhat less impressive record in managing its coronavirus crisis, Singapore is opening up and thus improving its competitive advantage over Hong Kong.
Hong Kong must boost its vaccination rate, even if this requires incentives, and it must relax its restrictions, especially for those who wish to come home, even if, for example, they are confined for, say, seven days in their own residences with PCR tests to be taken up to three times over the first 10 days after arrival.
The government must come up with solutions to allow us residents to return home without the current draconian restrictions, and to prevent any further deterioration of the city’s reputation for being an open and welcoming society.
David Paterson, Mid-Levels
Why does the government insist on a long quarantine?
I would like to add to J. Herbert’s comments on Hong Kong’s quarantine requirements for incoming travellers (“Hong Kong’s Covid-19 quarantine and tests: publish data to prove need for strict rules”, October 13).
We know from published figures that the average number of imported Covid-19 cases is about 4.5 a day so far. It would appear to be the case that all or most of these cases are detected on arrival or within the first week, given the normal incubation period.
This leads to the conclusion that the number of cases first appearing within the second and third week of quarantine is zero or next to zero.
One can only conclude that the reason for imposing a quarantine period greater than one week is not based on medical grounds but is a political or policy decision. The government should publish the figures and own up to its reasons.
James Watkins, Mid-Levels


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Opinion


Readers argue against the focus on quarantine-free travel to the mainland, worry that Hong Kong’s prolonged isolation hurts its economy and reputation, and urge the government to explain the deeper reasons behind the current quarantine policy



Readers argue against fixating on quarantine-free travel to the mainland, worry that Hong Kong’s prolonged isolation hurts its economy and reputation, and urge the government to explain the deeper reasons behind the current quarantine policy.
