Society
Coronavirus Hong Kong

Hong Kong drops on-arrival PCR tests and vaccine pass

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has announced the city’s most dramatic steps yet to drop almost all Covid-19 measures from December 29, 2022, including axing mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 tests for inbound travellers, the vaccine pass scheme and quarantine requirements for close contacts following similar action by mainland China. The mask mandate, however, will stay in place.

December 28, 2022
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The waiting time for outpatients in the accident and emergency departments at 10 public hospitals in Hong Kong was at least eight hours on December 26 and 27, 2022, despite the city's Hospital...02:15
Coronavirus Hong Kong
Patient waits 20 hours in emergency amid flu and Covid surge in Hong Kong
December 27, 2022
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Hong Kong scrapped the use of its “Leave Home Safe” app and removed most of its Covid restrictions for incoming travellers, starting on December 14, 2022. Previously, all arriving passengers had...02:58
Hong Kong reopens: life after...
Hong Kong's easing of Covid restrictions welcomed by travellers
December 14, 2022
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Hong Kong will scrap the use of its controversial “Leave Home Safe” app from December 14, 2022, and remove most restrictions on incoming travellers. Previously, all arriving passengers have been...02:33
Coronavirus Hong Kong
Hong Kong eases Covid curbs, ends use of controversial app
December 13, 2022
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Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has kicked off a series of high-profile visits to the Middle East. The government mission aims to drum up investment opportunities in new regions as...10:05
Paul Chan
Hong Kong courts Middle East investment
October 24, 2022
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Lung Wah, once host to film star Bruce Lee, warns it could shut down its doors for good in the next six months amid pandemic losses and changing tastes.02:55
Hong Kong society
Hong Kong's famous Lung Wah Hotel faces closure
September 27, 2022
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Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu announced an end to the city’s mandatory hotel quarantine policy on September 23, 2022, ending some of the world’s toughest Covid-19 restrictions. The current...03:32
Hong Kong quarantine
Hong Kong ends mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals
September 23, 2022
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The Hong Kong government announced an end to the mandatory hotel quarantine requirement for overseas arrivals on September 23, 2022. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the policy decision was to...01:30
Coronavirus Hong Kong
Hong Kong announces end to mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals
September 23, 2022
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At the start of a new academic year in Hong Kong, secondary school students in Tin Hau expressed their excitement about the first day in class after many months of no face-to-face courses. Pupils...02:07
Coronavirus Hong Kong
Covid rules enforced at start of new Hong Kong academic year
September 6, 2022
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Top Hong Kong health officials met with pandemic advisers on August 30, 2022, to discuss the latest surge in Covid-19 infections in the city. One expert warned that cases could peak at 20,000 a day...02:22
Coronavirus Hong Kong
Hong Kong Covid-19 cases could peak at 20,000 a day
August 30, 2022
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Happy Cake Shop in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai neighbourhood will turn off its ovens and shut its doors on August 2, 2022, after 45 years in operation. The announcement was posted on July 27, 2022,...01:46
Restaurants
Happy Cake Shop Wan Chai shuts down
July 29, 2022
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The mental health among the elderly in Hong Kong has suffered as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many confined to elderly care homes since the start of the pandemic. A pilot programme...03:59
Coronavirus pandemic: All stories
Music therapy helping HK's elderly during Covid
July 17, 2022
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Catholic missionary Father Franco Mella began a three-day protest outside Hong Kong’s Shek Pik prison on July 14, 2022 to demand the release of activists and opposition politicians jailed under the...02:32
Hong Kong protests
HK priest on hunger strike for jailed activists
July 15, 2022
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Hong Kong Secretary for Health Dr Lo Chung-mau said any reduction of hotel quarantine from people coming into the city will be based on Covid-19 infection data and whether case numbers go up or...08:55
Coronavirus pandemic: All stories
HK health chief on quarantine cuts
July 13, 2022
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From policeman to politician, Hong Kong’s incoming chief executive John Lee has his work cut out for him when he takes office on July 1, 2022. In an exclusive interview kicking off the new season of Talking Post with SCMP chief news editor Yonden Lhatoo, Lee promises a more aggressive approach to countering “fearmongering and bad-mouthing” by the city’s critics, and reveals plans for a possible easing of tough Covid-19 restrictions.26:44
Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo
‘What needs to be done will be’: Hong Kong’s next leader John Lee
June 23, 2022
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After almost three years under Covid mask rules, Hong Kong lifted its face-covering requirement on March 1, 2023. Residents and visitors no longer need to wear masks indoors, outdoors or on public...02:14
Coronavirus Hong Kong
Many Hongkongers remain masked after Covid mandate dropped
March 1, 2023
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Hong Kong will end its indoor and outdoor mask requirements from March 1, 2023, according to the city’s leader. Chief Executive John Lee announced the move on February 28, the day after...01:47
Hong Kong reopens: life after quarantine
Hong Kong to end mask mandate starting March 1
February 28, 2023
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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced on February 28, 2023, that the city’s Covid mask mandate would be scrapped from March 1. Rules about wearing face coverings in some locations including...01:57
Hong Kong reopens: life after quarantine
Hong Kong set to end mask mandate
February 28, 2023
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Hong Kong's isolation facilities have fallen eerily quiet, as the city prepares to lift the last of its Covid-19 restrictions. The city rushed to build the sprawling facilities at the start of the...01:55
Coronavirus Hong Kong
A look at Hong Kong’s now eerily quiet isolation facilities
January 29, 2023
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The first high-speed train from Hong Kong to mainland China departed on the morning of January 15, 2023, after the resumption of service following a three-year suspension because of Covid. Launched...02:32
Hong Kong transport
Hong Kong’s high-speed rail service to mainland China resumes
January 15, 2023
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From battling a fifth wave of Covid-19 to marking the 25th anniversary of its handover to China, Hong Kong underwent momentous events and challenges in 2022. Here’s a look back at the city’s...07:47
Hong Kong society
To hell and back: Hong Kong’s biggest news events of 2022
January 2, 2023
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Two-and-a-half years into the pandemic, Hong Kong was hit by its worst coronavirus outbreak, which started on December 31, 2021. Hongkongers shared their experience with the Post, recounting what...15:12
Coronavirus Hong Kong
When Covid pushed Hong Kong to the brink
December 31, 2022