Hong Kong leader John Lee tests positive for COVID-19 on return from Asia-Pacific summit
2 years, 1 month ago

Hong Kong leader John Lee tests positive for COVID-19 on return from Asia-Pacific summit

Firstpost  

Lee visited Bangkok last week to attend a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, with his office saying he tested negative on rapid antigen tests for all four days he was there Hong Kong, China: Hong Kong leader John Lee tested positive for Covid-19 on his return from an Asia-Pacific summit, the city’s government said Monday, days after he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and other heads of state. Lee visited Thailand’s capital Bangkok last week to attend a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, with his office saying he tested negative on rapid antigen tests for all four days he was there. The APEC summit was Lee’s first overseas trip since the pandemic began nearly three years ago, as well as his first since taking office as Hong Kong’s chief executive in July. Lee met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Vietnamese President Nguyen Phuc and several other senior officials at the forum.

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History of this topic

Hong Kong to lift COVID-19 mask mandate on Wednesday
1 year, 10 months ago

Hong Kong to lift COVID-19 mask mandate on Wednesday

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate on Wednesday, ending the city’s last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city’s chief executive, John Lee, said masks will no longer be required both outdoors and indoors, including on public transit, but some high-risk areas including hospitals and elderly homes can still require their use. “In order …

World’s longest Covid-19 mask mandate: This city is scrapping it after 945 days
1 year, 10 months ago

World’s longest Covid-19 mask mandate: This city is scrapping it after 945 days

Live Mint  

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate from 1 March 2023, ending the city's last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city's Chief Executive John Lee said the requirement will end outdoors and indoors, including public transit, but some high-risk premises including hospitals and elderly homes can still require people to wear masks. Next month will see Hong …

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, its last major COVID restriction
1 year, 10 months ago

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, its last major COVID restriction

LA Times  

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, ending the city’s last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “In order to give people a very clear message that Hong Kong is resuming normalcy, I think this is the right time to make the decision,” he said. He said the return to greater normality would be beneficial to Hong Kong’s …

As schools are set to resume face-to-face classes in Hong Kong, mainland Chinese students face adjustment problems
1 year, 11 months ago

As schools are set to resume face-to-face classes in Hong Kong, mainland Chinese students face adjustment problems

Firstpost  

Parents and teachers have called for a range of support services for children who may face adjustment problems New Delhi: Thousands of children who live in mainland China and attend Hong Kong schools will return to their campuses for the first time in three years, parents and teachers of students said. According to a report in the South China Morning …

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 starting Jan. 30 as part of its strategy to return the semi-autonomous Chinese city to normalcy, the city’s leader said Thursday. For most of the pandemic over the last three years, Hong Kong has aligned itself with mainland China’s “zero COVID” strategy, requiring those …

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases

Firstpost  

For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s zero-COVID strategy, requiring those who tested positive to undergo quarantine. Many residents once had to be sent to hospitals or government-run quarantine facilities even when their symptoms were mild Hong Kong: Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 from 30 January as …

Hong Kong may shift Covid’s status from ‘pandemic’ to ‘endemic’: What it means
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong may shift Covid’s status from ‘pandemic’ to ‘endemic’: What it means

Hindustan Times  

The Hong Kong government is in talks with top pandemic advisers to declare Covid-19 an 'endemic' disease, leading to ease absolute Covid curbs including isolation norms for infected patients. Hong Kong in lockstep with China, shared a similar plan a day after Macau announced the virus as endemic and relaxed most of the Covid norms. John Lee Ka-Chiu, Chief Executive …

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush
2 years ago

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush

Firstpost  

China abruptly ended a strict regime of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing in December amid growing concerns about the economic impact and rare public protests in a country that permits no open political dissent Beijing: China is seeking to minimize the possibility of a major new COVID-19 outbreak during this month’s Lunar New Year travel rush following the end of …

Hong Kong Scraps Vaccine Pass, COVID-19 Tests for Travellers
2 years ago

Hong Kong Scraps Vaccine Pass, COVID-19 Tests for Travellers

News 18  

Hong Kong will scrap some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR tests for inbound travellers and vaccination requirements to enter certain venues, the city’s leader said on Wednesday. For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, requiring stringent COVID-19 tests and isolation for close contacts of infected cases as well as for incoming travellers. …

Hong Kong scraps vaccine pass, COVID-19 tests for travelers
2 years ago

Hong Kong scraps vaccine pass, COVID-19 tests for travelers

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will scrap some of its COVID-19 restrictions, including PCR tests for inbound travelers and vaccination requirements to enter certain venues, the city’s leader said Wednesday. For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s “zero-COVID” strategy, requiring stringent COVID-19 tests and isolation for close contacts of infected cases as well as for …

Japan marks record Covid deaths, Hong Kong, Taiwan's new rules: 8 points
2 years ago

Japan marks record Covid deaths, Hong Kong, Taiwan's new rules: 8 points

Hindustan Times  

Japan on Wednesday recorded 415 Covid deaths, the highest-ever count for a single day, health ministry data showed. Covid In Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan: A resident wears a mask as he stands near the shadow of a tree. Hong Kong said that it will end some of its last major Covid rules, scrapping limits on public gatherings. There will be …

China to scrap COVID-19 quarantine for incoming passengers
2 years ago

China to scrap COVID-19 quarantine for incoming passengers

LA Times  

People coming to China will still need a negative virus test 48 hours before departure and will need to wear masks aboard planes, the country’s health commission said. China will drop a COVID-19 quarantine requirement for passengers arriving from abroad starting Jan. 8, the National Health Commission announced Monday in the latest easing of the country’s once-strict virus-control measures. People …

Hong Kong leader tests positive for COVID after APEC forum
2 years, 1 month ago

Hong Kong leader tests positive for COVID after APEC forum

Al Jazeera  

Hong Kong leader John Lee has tested positive for COVID-19 after travelling to a regional economic summit in an effort to restore the city’s battered international image and struggling economy. Lee tested positive on Monday, the city’s government said, days after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Bangkok. The …

‘No one to be overlooked’: Beijing on high alert as Covid cases quadruple
2 years, 2 months ago

‘No one to be overlooked’: Beijing on high alert as Covid cases quadruple

Hindustan Times  

China is witnessing a surge in Covid cases as the country's capital introduced new measures to stop the transmission of the virus. The measures include strengthening public checks and locking down residential compounds, although strict curbs have not been placed owing to a key Communist Party congress underway. The caseload in Beijing itself has quadrupled in recent weeks as the …

Hong Kong to end quarantine after outcry from firms, residents
2 years, 3 months ago

Hong Kong to end quarantine after outcry from firms, residents

Al Jazeera  

Move to lift travel restriction comes amid fears the former British colony is losing its competitive edge. Travellers to the city currently must undergo three days of hotel quarantine followed by four days of medical surveillance, during which they are restricted from entering certain venues including bars and restaurants. Hong Kong, which has been caught between mainland China’s ultra-strict “zero-COVID” …

Hong Kong to end mandatory COVID hotel quarantine for travelers
2 years, 3 months ago

Hong Kong to end mandatory COVID hotel quarantine for travelers

LA Times  

Hong Kong’s leader announced Friday that the city would no longer require incoming travelers to quarantine in designated hotels, as it seeks to remain competitive and open up globally after nearly two years of strict COVID-19 pandemic rules. Additionally, incoming travelers will no longer need to have a negative PCR test within 48 hours of boarding a plane to Hong …

Hong Kong mulls changing Covid-19 hotel quarantine policy for all arrivals
2 years, 3 months ago

Hong Kong mulls changing Covid-19 hotel quarantine policy for all arrivals

Hindustan Times  

Hong Kong said on Tuesday it aims to make an announcement soon on its controversial Covid-19 hotel quarantine policy for all arrivals, as it wants to keep the city connected with the rest of the world and allow an "orderly opening-up". Travellers queue up for shuttle bus to quarantine hotels at the Hong Kong International Airport, amid the coronavirus disease …

Hong Kong cuts COVID hotel quarantine to 3 days for arrivals
2 years, 5 months ago

Hong Kong cuts COVID hotel quarantine to 3 days for arrivals

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will reduce the mandatory hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals to three days from a week, the city’s leader said Monday. Hong Kong leader John Lee said arriving travelers must quarantine three days in a designated hotel, then undergo four days of medical surveillance during which their movements will be restricted via the use of a …

Hong Kong lifts flight ban citing ‘little effect’ on COVID
2 years, 6 months ago

Hong Kong lifts flight ban citing ‘little effect’ on COVID

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong announced Thursday it is shelving a COVID-19 measure that has resulted in dozens of canceled flights in recent months and thwarted travel plans for thousands. “The new measure is a decision made by the government after careful review of relevant data and taking into account the current peak period for international students returning to Hong …

HK gets boost in fighting outbreak as central govt offers needed beds
2 years, 8 months ago

HK gets boost in fighting outbreak as central govt offers needed beds

China Daily  

Citizens wearing face masks line up for nucleic acid test at a testing site in South China's Hong Kong, April 14, 2022. The first phase of the hospital was handed over to Hong Kong on April 7, offering 500 beds in negative pressure wards－including 32 intensive care unit beds, and two operating theaters. Wang Hong, chairman of China Construction Science …

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam won’t seek second term after rocky 5 years
2 years, 9 months ago

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam won’t seek second term after rocky 5 years

India TV News  

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said Monday she wouldn’t seek a second term after a rocky five years marked by huge protests calling for her resignation, a security crackdown that has quashed dissent and most recently a COVID-19 wave that overwhelmed the health system. Lam’s popularity sharply declined over her five-year term, particularly over legislation that would have allowed criminal …

Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore: Full list of countries relaxing COVID norms for tourists from April 1
2 years, 9 months ago

Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore: Full list of countries relaxing COVID norms for tourists from April 1

India TV News  

Highlights Full vaccination is mandatory for international travel Some countries are advising RT-PCR tests and quarantine on arrival for tourists Nations are slowly opening their borders to travellers and COVID recedes globally During the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism was one of the industries that were hit hard. Read: As international flights get back to runway, Dubai, Thailand & Maldives top vacationers' …

Biding farewell -- a patient's diary at COVID-19 isolation facility in Hong Kong
2 years, 9 months ago

Biding farewell -- a patient's diary at COVID-19 isolation facility in Hong Kong

China Daily  

Editor's note: China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been fighting its worst wave of COVID-19 infections since the outbreak of the pandemic. A mainland-aided community isolation facility located in Tsing Yi started admitting its first batch of COVID-19 patients in Hong Kong on March 3. Cellphone photo taken on March 19, 2022 shows staff distributing breakfast for people under …

Surge in Covid-19 Cases in Hong Kong Leads to Stricter Restrictions, Citizens in Fear - News18
2 years, 10 months ago

Surge in Covid-19 Cases in Hong Kong Leads to Stricter Restrictions, Citizens in Fear - News18

News 18  

Hong Kong is said to be experiencing a “dire epidemic situation” as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has affected most parts of Hong Kong, which is home to some of the most densely populated districts in the world. “Health authorities have only identified a third of the Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong,” a top microbiologist has warned. New restrictions …

Hong Kong orders mandatory COVID-19 tests for all residents
2 years, 10 months ago

Hong Kong orders mandatory COVID-19 tests for all residents

The Hindu  

Hong Kong will test its entire population of 7.5 million people for COVID-19 in March, the city's leader said Tuesday, as it grapples with its worst outbreak driven by the omicron variant. Hong Kong has largely aligned itself with mainland China's “zero-COVID-19” policy, which aims to totally stamp out outbreaks, even as many other countries are shifting their approach to …

Hong Kong orders mandatory COVID-19 tests for all residents
2 years, 10 months ago

Hong Kong orders mandatory COVID-19 tests for all residents

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will test its entire population of 7.5 million people for COVID-19 in March, the city’s leader said Tuesday, as it grapples with its worst outbreak driven by the omicron variant. Hong Kong has largely aligned itself with mainland China’s “zero-COVID-19” policy, which aims to totally stamp out outbreaks, even as many other countries are shifting …

China's Xi: Control of Hong Kong surge is 'overriding task'
2 years, 10 months ago

China's Xi: Control of Hong Kong surge is 'overriding task'

The Hindu  

With Hong Kong continuing to report thousands of new COVID-19 cases that have overwhelmed its hospitals, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the Hong Kong government “to take all necessary measures” to bring the outbreak under control. Last week saw Hong Kong’s first COVID-19 related death in more than six months, and the current wave has claimed 22 lives. …

Hong Kong reports record COVID-19 cases, tightens measures
2 years, 10 months ago

Hong Kong reports record COVID-19 cases, tightens measures

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong on Saturday reported its daily record of confirmed COVID-19 cases, at 1,514. Hong Kong imposed new restriction this week, limiting in-person gatherings to no more than two households. Beijing officials and Chinese state media warned Hong Kong against loosening any of the measures, saying that adopting a “living with the virus” policy would overwhelm its …

Hong Kong ramps up COVID-19 testing amid outbreak
2 years, 11 months ago

Hong Kong ramps up COVID-19 testing amid outbreak

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hong Kong s leader on …

Locking down homes, Hong Kong takes COVID lesson from Beijing
2 years, 11 months ago

Locking down homes, Hong Kong takes COVID lesson from Beijing

Al Jazeera  

Residents in the city prevented from leaving apartments as authorities race to halt spread of Omicron. In a leaked draft report, the European Chamber of Commerce in the city warned earlier this week that Hong Kong’s international isolation could extend into 2024, spurring a large exodus of foreign firms and staff. In a poll carried out by the Democratic Party, …

One of 2 COVID cases at Hong Kong party was false positive
3 years ago

One of 2 COVID cases at Hong Kong party was false positive

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy One of two people who …

Hong Kong politicians sent to quarantine after birthday party
3 years ago

Hong Kong politicians sent to quarantine after birthday party

Al Jazeera  

Those sent to quarantine camp include home affairs secretary Caspar Tsui and immigration chief Au Ka-wang. Dozens of senior Hong Kong officials and politicians were ordered into quarantine on Friday after health officials discovered a second preliminary coronavirus case at a birthday party attended by many of the city’s political elite. “All the people present at the party need to …

Hong Kong Minister attends party, sent to quarantine
3 years ago

Hong Kong Minister attends party, sent to quarantine

The Hindu  

Hong Kong’s government on Thursday reprimanded 10 senior government officials, including its Home Secretary, for attending a party as the Special Administrative Region battles its first local cluster of Omicron cases. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she was “highly disappointed” that the officials attended a party on Monday night, one of whose attendees later tested positive for COVID-19. Hong Kong …

Hong Kong on alert over two cases of new COVID-19 variant
3 years, 1 month ago

Hong Kong on alert over two cases of new COVID-19 variant

The Hindu  

Two cases of the B.1.1.529 coronavirus variant have been reported in Hong Kong, with the new strain spreading from a traveller from South Africa who was undergoing quarantine to a person occupying the room across from him in a hotel where they were both in isolation. Hong Kong’s Department of Health said genome sequencing revealed that the first patient had …

Hong Kong to tighten COVID-19 rules, hopes China reopens
3 years, 2 months ago

Hong Kong to tighten COVID-19 rules, hopes China reopens

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will tighten COVID-19 restrictions despite a lack of local outbreaks to better align with China’s policies and increase chances of quarantine-free travel between the territory and mainland, leader Carrie Lam said Tuesday. Conversely, those who travel to the mainland from Hong Kong are still required to serve 14 days of quarantine in designated hotels, followed …

Hong Kong eases Covid curbs for Chinese travellers
3 years, 4 months ago

Hong Kong eases Covid curbs for Chinese travellers

The Hindu  

Travellers arriving in Hong Kong from China will no longer need to quarantine, Hong Kong’s top official said on Tuesday, easing curbs imposed after summer outbreaks of the coronavirus on the mainland. Travellers will still need a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival and must take several tests while in Hong Kong to ensure they're not infected. Hong Kong’s “zero-COVID” …

Hong Kong’s ‘zero Covid’ strategy frustrates travel-starved residents
3 years, 4 months ago

Hong Kong’s ‘zero Covid’ strategy frustrates travel-starved residents

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — Before the pandemic, Hongkongers were among the most well-traveled people on Earth. Singapore’s plans to move away from a “Zero Covid” strategy – which is crucial for Hong Kong’s desired bubble with mainland China – also influenced the decision, according to the Straits Times. We would probably be thinking about leaving if we didn’t have so …

Hong Kong coronavirus: Not wearing a mask outside could mean a $645 fine
4 years, 5 months ago

Hong Kong coronavirus: Not wearing a mask outside could mean a $645 fine

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — Hong Kong will make wearing masks in public compulsory and limit gatherings to no more than two people as officials in the city grapple with a rising surge in coronavirus infections. On Monday, Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung announced that face masks would be mandatory in both indoor and outdoor public places from Wednesday, with …

These governments tamed COVID-19. They’re keeping social distancing in place
4 years, 6 months ago

These governments tamed COVID-19. They’re keeping social distancing in place

LA Times  

It was 91 degrees, and Hans Hsu, clad in shorts, sat on a bench waiting to catch the bus home, a surgical mask dangling from his arm. “There were quite a few foreign expatriates living here who didn’t adapt to masks quickly,” said Susan Bamber, a 60-year-old Australian retiree who’s lived a quarter-century in Hong Kong. You can’t use face …

To mask or not to mask: confusion spreads over coronavirus protection
4 years, 11 months ago

To mask or not to mask: confusion spreads over coronavirus protection

Live Mint  

"Do not wear a mask if you are well" read a warning plastered across the front of Singapore's main newspaper on Friday, as authorities around the world sought to calm panic buying of masks seen as a guard against the fast-spreading coronavirus. It's better to be safe than sorry" Facebook user Kenny Chan Wai Kong posted in Singapore, where authorities …

January 27, 2020 coronavirus news
4 years, 11 months ago

January 27, 2020 coronavirus news

CNN  

Chinese police officers wearing masks stand in front of the Tiananmen Gate on January 26. Betsy Joles/Getty Images With Chinese authorities warning the coronavirus outbreak is accelerating, placing millions of people in more than a dozen Chinese cities under intense travel restrictions might seem like a good idea. In Venice, sailors and ships coming from infected ports were made to …

January 27, 2020 coronavirus news
4 years, 11 months ago

January 27, 2020 coronavirus news

CNN  

Chinese police officers wearing masks stand in front of the Tiananmen Gate on January 26. Betsy Joles/Getty Images With Chinese authorities warning the coronavirus outbreak is accelerating, placing millions of people in more than a dozen Chinese cities under intense travel restrictions might seem like a good idea. In Venice, sailors and ships coming from infected ports were made to …

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