EditorialFurther relaxation of Covid rules in Hong Kong comes as Christmas bonus
- Places such as cinemas are among those to benefit along with those who go to bars and banquets in a city that must continue to open with caution
The latest relaxation of Hong Kong’s social-distancing measures is just in time for the festive season. It will give a much-needed boost to many businesses hit hard by the pandemic.
Capacity limits for cinemas, museums, theme parks and performance venues will be lifted from tomorrow. The onerous requirement that those attending bars, banquets and local tours present a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) will also be scrapped.
These are welcome developments as Hong Kong strives to return to normal life. The city is moving in the right direction. It follows last week’s landmark lifting of a ban on visitors going to restaurants, gyms and other venues for three days after their arrival.
Many restrictions remain, however, and Hong Kong will ultimately need to lift them if it is to catch up with other parts of the world and compete for investment, talent and tourists.
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The latest relaxation is based on the number of cases, although high, having stabilised. It makes sense, but risks do remain. There has been a worrying surge in the number of patients admitted to hospital. Accident and emergency wards have been swamped, with waiting times at some facilities up to eight hours. And flu season is upon us.