Editorial | Play the game and lift coronavirus restrictions that are no longer needed in Hong Kong

Caution has been the guiding principle in striking a balance between economic recovery and epidemic control. The Hong Kong government has religiously adhered to such an approach, albeit sometimes not going as far as it should.

A case in point is permitting inbound tour groups to enter theme parks, museums and restaurants while undergoing three days of medical surveillance. Even though it is a step in the right direction, the benefits for the tourism industry are arguably limited.

Under the revised rules, travellers of licensed groups may visit designated attractions, and have meals in partitioned areas of restaurants that meet special requirements. Itineraries shall be preregistered under the so-called group-in, group-out arrangement.

This is essentially a compromise in response to growing demands to further relax medical surveillance rules, under which a yellow health code is issued to restrict access to restaurants and public venues.

The industry believes such a relaxation would appeal to small group tours from Southeast Asia, but there are still issues to be addressed, such as the feasibility of fewer tests and arrangements when travellers test positive during their stay.

When hotel quarantine was replaced by a three-day medical surveillance in late September, hopes were high that the ailing tourism industry would be thrown a lifeline. But official data shows greater travel convenience has encouraged more Hongkongers to venture out rather than attract overseas visitors.