Editorial | Cautious welcome for antibody testing
- The tests for inbound travellers will help to shorten quarantine time and make the city’s anti-pandemic strategy more targeted and effective
Even the most robust defence system cannot remain unchanged indefinitely when it comes to fighting the coronavirus. As the global pandemic continues to evolve, authorities around the world are carefully adjusting their antivirus control.
On one hand, there is pressure to reopen cross-border travel as the situation stabilises. On the other hand, vigilance must prevail to avoid a resurgence of infections.
The Hong Kong government’s plan to introduce antibody tests on inbound travellers is a case in point. It has been proposed that fully vaccinated visitors from medium-risk countries may have their quarantine period cut to seven days upon testing positive for coronavirus antibodies.
The guidelines on vaccination have also been revised to encourage younger and elderly citizens to come forward.
With the previous waves of community outbreak barely over, there is every reason to be cautious. The antibody screenings aim to ascertain whether visitors who have been vaccinated actually have immunity against infections. It also helps identify false negative cases and prevent those who are asymptomatic from spreading the virus in the community.