Hong Kong ditches COVID arrival restrictions, health app

• Hong Kong has removed its COVID-19 app.
• Beijing’s latest shift away from its “zero-COVID” goal was shutting down an app.
• Arrivals to the city are prevented from entering restaurants and bars for the first 72 hours.

Hong Kong has removed its COVID-19 app and a prohibition on immigrants attending pubs and restaurants within three days of arrival after nearly three years of curbs.

Beijing’s latest shift away from its “zero-COVID” goal was shutting down an app for tracking domestic travel.

Hong Kong citizens must utilize “LeaveHomeSafe” to record their admittance into restaurants, gyms, clubs, and salons.

Arrivals to the city are prevented from entering restaurants and bars for the first 72 hours under a “0+3” arrangement.

Hong Kong leader John Lee said the administration decided to relax the limits after reviewing facts and dangers.

Imported cases have a lesser infection risk than local ones, said Lee.

Hong Kong’s long-lasting pandemic restrictions have hurt the heavily travel- and trade-dependent economy.

Hong Kong will conclude the year in recession, along with Macau and Sri Lanka.

The city’s GDP outlook for 2022 was cut by 3.2% last month.

Hong Kong terminated its two-and-a-half-year hotel quarantine in September, but few visitors have returned.

Hong Kong’s long-lasting pandemic restrictions have hurt the heavily travel- and trade-dependent economy.

Hong Kong will conclude the year in recession, along with Macau and Sri Lanka.

The city’s GDP outlook for 2022 was cut by 3.2% last month.

Hong Kong terminated its two-and-a-half-year hotel quarantine in September, but few visitors have returned.

Daily arrivals are roughly 20,000, mostly Hong Kong residents, compared to 350,000 in November.

Hong Kong has the harshest pandemic laws outside of mainland China, including required face masks, numerous COVID tests for arrivals, and a 12-person gathering limit.

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