Opinion | Coronavirus: low vaccination rate will undermine Hong Kong’s role as a global city

High vaccination rates have made it possible for the US and Europe to ease travel and other restrictions, allowing life and business to return to normal

Meanwhile, the slow pace of vaccination here has delayed a fuller reopening, without which businesses and livelihoods will continue to suffer

Reading Time:3 minutes

Published: 9:15am, 26 Jun 2021Updated: 9:15am, 26 Jun 2021

A flurry of good news in recent weeks is pointing the way to a post-pandemic landscape – in some parts of the world, at least.

In the United States, both New York and California removed most of their pandemic-related restrictions after 70 per cent of people received at least one vaccine shot. In the European Union, meanwhile, where more than 50 per cent of residents have now had their first dose, a vaccine certificate programme has been approved that will allow free travel within the bloc.

Here in Hong Kong, we have also had some progress on the long road back to normal, with the announcement this week of the easing of some of the city’s pandemic measures. Shorter hotels quarantine periods and an increase in the number of people allowed to gather in certain indoor environments are certainly a step in the right direction.

But with vaccination rates still stubbornly low, it seems we will not be able to freely resume travel and fully reopen any time soon.

Businesses across Hong Kong have been devastated as a result of the pandemic. The travel industry and associated sectors like retail and restaurants have most obviously been hit hard.

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