Amber health code restrictions for arrivals to Hong Kong are to be relaxed allowing visits to restaurants and other places – but only for those in tour groups.

Officials are also considering reducing the amount of Covid tests people on short trips to the city have to undergo.

In a statement on Monday, the government said inbound tour groups accompanied by licensed guides will be permitted to go to attractions such as theme parks, museums and temples as soon as they arrive in the city.

They will also be allowed into designated restaurants, but will have to dine in partitioned areas.

The amber code that arrivals are given for their first three days in Hong Kong bars them from going to restaurants and other places where people have their vaccination records scanned.

The government said easing the rules for those on tours can "support the gradual resumption of the inbound travel market in an orderly manner, and provide a more favourable business environment for the travel trade".

It added that it will hold discussions with the Travel Industry Council (TIC) on which attractions should be covered under the new arrangement, which will begin some time this month.

The statement also said the government is exploring whether it is "permissible" to allow inbound tour groups to take fewer Covid tests during their stay, while balancing the epidemic risks.

Both the tourism sector and catering businesses welcomed the news.

At a press conference held soon after the government’s announcement, lawmaker Tommy Cheung who represents the catering sector said restaurants are ready to start discussing the details with the authorities on how to accommodate tour groups.

The TIC's executive director, Fanny Yeung, said the move sends a message to the rest of the world that Hong Kong is back to normal.

“We won’t expect a lot of tourists in the beginning of this relaxation. But I think this is a very important positive sign to the world that Hong Kong is back,” she said.

“So, our tourists, next time… not only the tourists, but even our overseas trade partners, when they plan for the next trip, put Hong Kong as their priority destination.”

Yeung said the council has proposed a list of attractions, including the M+ Museum and the Big Buddha statue, to be included in the new arrangements.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Board (HKTB) also welcomed the government's announcement, saying it expects the measure to gradually bring in more tourists.

“The new arrangements mark Hong Kong’s resumption to normality and send a positive message to travellers and our trade partners around the world. It is expected that the specific arrangements can help gradually attract leisure travellers to visit Hong Kong again, especially consumers in short-haul markets,” HKTB chairman Pang Yiu-kai said.

“The HKTB will continue to work with the Government, the tourism industry, and related sectors to demonstrate Hong Kong’s diverse tourism appeal to ramp up travellers’ interests in visiting the city, so as to drive the revival of tourism in Hong Kong.”
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Last updated: 2022-11-07 HKT 21:27