‘0+7’ quarantine can attract more overseas tourists: Ho Pak-leung

Health expert Ho Pak-leung echoed the city’s recent surging calls for scrapping anti-Covid curbs and believed overseas tourists will be attracted by the “0+7” quarantine measure, bringing in tens of thousands of travelers to Hong Kong every day.

Speaking on the radio Tuesday, Ho, head of the University of Hong Kong’s Carol Yu Centre for Infection, said the seven-day medical observation can also allow local residents to travel abroad and take a break from fighting the pandemic.

Ho continued that if Hong Kong implements the “0+7” quarantine measure, tens of thousands of tourists may arrive in the city every day. Ho recommended replacing the PCR tests upon arrival with rapid antigen tests to avoid tourists packing the airport.

He added it would be enough for inbound travelers to conduct a RAT daily when undergoing the seven-day medical observation.

Ho explained there will be long queues at community testing centers when a massive number of travelers arrive in the city, which will make people less likely to visit Hong Kong. Many countries and regions have ceased the practice of conducting PCR tests as well, Ho noted.

On another note, Ho suggested allowing medical workers listed as close contacts of Covid patients to go to work after asking them to wear masks that can efficiently filter the coronavirus.

It was because some workers saw their family members infected with Covid and couldn’t come to work for as long as three weeks, significantly impacting hospital services.

He also said the benefit of his suggestion outweighs the risk as almost all medical workers have received the booster and have to do a RAT daily.
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