Hong Kong has met the conditions to reopen borders to international societies, according to the government's Covid advisor David Hui Shu-cheong, who also told citizens not to over-worry about the sixth outbreak wave.
Speaking on a radio program Saturday, Hui said the city's situation is similar to that of Singapore as most of the infections reported lately involved mild symptoms, and only a few of the patients suffered from severe illness.
Hui also noted that Hong Kong is an international business hub, and many foreign enterprises are hoping for easier access to the city, saying that the government should strike a balance between the needs of different parties when mulling border reopening measures.
Yet, the conditions for quarantine-free travel with the mainland are not the same, Hui pointed out.
He believed the issue would be left to the new government and mainland health authorities after Hong Kong finishes a series of celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the handover and incoming Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu assumes office.
It would be more appropriate for Hong Kong to keep the current Covid curbs, Hui also said.
He also gave the example of Shanghai, adding that maintaining the Covid zero policy will cost the economy very dearly in the long run.
On another note, Hui reassured citizens not to worry about the sixth wave of Covid outbreak and noted that the T cells in the vaccine remain efficient against the Omicron subvariants that recently emerged in the city.
When asked about recent reports of an 11-year-old girl in the hospital's intensive care unit after getting the second BioNTech shot three weeks ago, Hui said he didn't have much information.
He also confirmed that children can develop myocarditis after receiving the BioNTech vaccine.
Hui also noted that Hong Kong is an international business hub, and many foreign enterprises are hoping for easier access to the city, saying that the government should strike a balance between the needs of different parties when mulling border reopening measures.
Yet, the conditions for quarantine-free travel with the mainland are not the same, Hui pointed out.
He believed the issue would be left to the new government and mainland health authorities after Hong Kong finishes a series of celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the handover and incoming Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu assumes office.
It would be more appropriate for Hong Kong to keep the current Covid curbs, Hui also said.
He also gave the example of Shanghai, adding that maintaining the Covid zero policy will cost the economy very dearly in the long run.
On another note, Hui reassured citizens not to worry about the sixth wave of Covid outbreak and noted that the T cells in the vaccine remain efficient against the Omicron subvariants that recently emerged in the city.
When asked about recent reports of an 11-year-old girl in the hospital's intensive care unit after getting the second BioNTech shot three weeks ago, Hui said he didn't have much information.
He also confirmed that children can develop myocarditis after receiving the BioNTech vaccine.