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Hong Kong's leader has announced the city would no longer require incoming travellers to quarantine in designated hotels as the city seeks to open up globally after nearly two years.
Incoming travellers will also no longer need a negative PCR test within 48 hours before boarding a plane to Hong Kong, the city's Chief Executive John Lee said on Friday at a news conference.
Instead, they will need to present a negative COVID-19 result from a rapid antigen test conducted within 24 hours before boarding the flight.
All international arrivals will be able to return home or to accommodation of their choice but will have to self-monitor for three days after entering the Chinese special administrative hub, the government said.
People will be allowed to go to work or school but will not be allowed to enter bars or restaurants for three days.
The measures will come into effect on Monday.
"While we can control the trend of the epidemic, we must allow the maximum room to allow connectivity with the world, so that we can have economic momentum and to reduce inconvenience to arriving travellers," said Mr Lee, who also said that authorities will not roll back the measures announced on Friday.
He said that there must be a "balance between risks and economic growth".
From Monday, travellers into Hong Kong will have to undergo three days of home monitoring. If they test negative for COVID-19 after three days, they will be allowed into venues such as restaurants and bars.
As Xi Jinping embarks on his first trip outside of mainland China since the pandemic began, observers suspect it could be a chance to further strengthen Beijing's hold on Hong Kong.
For nearly two years, Hong Kong required overseas arrivals in the city to serve a period of mandatory quarantine in designated hotels.
At one point, the city had among the world's longest quarantine periods at 21 days of mandatory isolation.
The easing of measures comes as Hong Kong prepares to hold several high-profile events, including the Rugby Sevens tournament in November and an international banking summit.
Neighbouring Taiwan is expected to do the same with travel restrictions next month.
This leaves mainland China as one of the only places in the world that will still require travelers to quarantine on arrival.
Hong Kong has for most of the pandemic aligned with China's "zero-COVID" strategy.
Over the past two and a half years, Hong Kong authorities have imposed strict social distancing measures and locked down residential buildings with confirmed COVID-19 infections to mass-test residents.
AP/Reuters
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