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Over the past few months Hong Kong's stated goal has to bring their COVID policies more in line with that seen in Mainland China, in hopes of giving Chinese authorities confidence to allow Hong Kong residents to travel to the Mainland without being subject to a 14-day quarantine plus seven days of health monitoring.
All of this was prior to the discovery of the presumed more-transmissible Omicron variant, which has already fired a warning shot in Hong Kong (see EID Journal: Probable Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Quarantine Hotel, Hong Kong).A month ago HK announced plans to To Roll Out COVID Booster Shots while in late October Hong Kong Tightened Hospital COVID Discharge Criteria & Ordered a 14-Day Post Discharge Isolation Period in pursuit of their `zero tolerance' policy for COVID-19.
Yesterday Hong Kong posted a compulsory COVID testing notice for anyone present at 8 local schools during recently reported respiratory outbreaks, and provided details on the use of their "LeaveHomeSafe" (LHS) mobile application, which will take effect on December 9.
Today, in a follow up, Hong Kong's CHP issued another compulsory testing notice - this time covering 20 locations - and has also published the following follow up on the latest distancing measures, which includes statements of concern over Omicron.
The following is only an excerpt from a much longer statement. I'll return with a brief postscript after the break.
Government announces latest social distancing measures under Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance
The Government announced today (December 7) the gazettal of extension of existing social distancing measures for 14 days, which will take effect on December 9 till December 22. The Government is also considering extending the scope of "vaccine bubble" at suitable juncture in order to encourage more citizens to get vaccinated so as to strengthen Hong Kong's immune barrier against COVID-19.
The Government announced yesterday (December 6) the relevant arrangement for extending the requirement of using LeaveHomeSafe (LHS) mobile application to all premises regulated under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F). The modes of operation of catering business are adjusted accordingly while other existing social distancing measures remain unchanged.
"COVID-19 mutant strains including the latest Omicron are spreading rapidly around the world. We must stay vigilant and adopt stringent epidemic control measures to follow through on the anti-epidemic strategy of guarding against the importation of cases and the resurgence of domestic infections in order to attain the goal of dynamic 'zero infection'," a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said.
Vaccination is a crucial part of the local anti-epidemic strategy. Since the announcement of the new direction in fighting the epidemic by the Chief Executive on April 12, the Government had been adjusting relevant social distancing measures regarding catering business and scheduled premises regulated under Cap. 599F on the basis of "vaccine bubble". The existing "vaccine bubble" measures covering both staff and customers which are applicable to catering business premises under Type D Mode of Operation, bars/pubs, and a number of scheduled premises including karaoke establishments, clubs or nightclubs, bathhouses, party rooms, mahjong-tin kau premises and cruise ships. Under the measures, staff members involved in the operation of the premises are required to complete full vaccination, or undergo regular tests if he or she has been assessed by a medical practitioner to be medically unfit for vaccination. Also, at least two-thirds of customers of Type D catering business premises and all users of the abovementioned scheduled premises must have received vaccination.
The Government is keeping a close watch on the development of the pandemic. If the situation eventually warrants a significant increase in the vaccination coverage in order to protect all Hong Kong citizens, particularly the elderly, as well as to ensure that the risk levels faced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Mainland are on par so as to maintain the basic conditions for quarantine-free travel, the Government will consider extending the scope of "vaccine bubble" to all premises regulated under Cap. 599F. When considering the extension of "vaccine bubble", the Government will also take into account appropriate exemption arrangements (such as allowing individuals who are not eligible for vaccination or have been assessed by a medical practitioner to be medically unfit for vaccination to enter the premises), and consider further relaxing the restrictions for premises under "vaccine bubble" taking into consideration the need for epidemic control.
The Comirnaty and CoronaVac vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and death from COVID-19. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. The Government continues to call on persons who are not yet vaccinated, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a much higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, to get vaccinated as early as possible for better self-protection and preparation of cross-boundary travel.
Hong Kong has done a remarkable job in keeping the number of COVID cases very low (see epi chart below), particularly over the past 6 months. Daily case numbers have remained in the single digits since May of 2021.
But this has come at an immense economic cost due to stringent anti-COVID regulations that require up to 21-days quarantine for new arrivals, which deeply affects both business and tourist travel. Despite the urging of local - and international - business concerns, Hong Kong appears steadfast in their course.
How well their zero-COVID policies will fare against an emerging, and aggressive, Omicron variant remains to be seen.
