Quarantine changes could spare snooker stars from ‘closed loop’ for Hong Kong Masters
- Scrapping of hotel quarantine policy for arrivals is welcomed by snooker officials ahead of star-studded October event
- But organisers still have matters to discuss with government, because world’s leading players could yet be affected by Hong Kong’s new border policy
The scrapping of Hong Kong’s hotel quarantine policy for incoming travellers has been welcomed by officials behind the Hong Kong Masters, the city’s flagship snooker event which will return next month.
But they still have matters to raise with the government, because some of the world’s leading players could yet be restricted despite the sweeping changes announced on Friday.
Arrivals under the new “0+3” plan will only be required to go through three days of home medical surveillance, with their movement citywide limited, rather than three days in a quarantine hotel and four of medical surveillance in the previous “3+4” system.
It could potentially free snooker stars from the “closed loop” system that had been planned for the event at Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom, which would have seen them forego quarantine but be confined them to their hotel and the match venue.
However, the October 6-9 tournament begins four days after the end of the British Open. If, as was anticipated, players arrive in Hong Kong only a day or two before a preview press conference on October 5, they will still be subject to the medical surveillance and limitations on movement stipulated by “0+3”.
“No more bubbles – we’re so happy about this good news,” said Vincent Law Wing-chung, chairman of the Hong Kong Billiard Sports Control Council. “We spent so much time on the bubble arrangements. It was a difficult task, and we do not need it now.
