Hong Kong government hands quarantine exemption to men’s rugby sevens team

National team players allowed to train four times during 14-day quarantine after tournaments in Canada

‘Any cross-transmission in the group can occur but will likely be picked up by the testing every three days’, says respiratory medicine expert Dr Leung Chi-chiu

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Hong Kong’s men rugby sevens team huddle at the end of the match against Mexico at the HSBC World Rugby Seven Series in Edmonton in September. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 9:00am, 10 Oct 2021Updated: 10:58am, 12 Oct 2021

Hong Kong’s men rugby sevens team was granted a rare exemption from compulsory Covid-19 quarantine upon arrival from their World Rugby Sevens Series campaign in Canada last month, the government confirmed on Sunday.

The squad of 17 plus coaching and backroom staff returned to their Hong Kong home after impressive seventh-place finishes at the Vancouver and Edmonton Sevens, their first piece of international action since the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualifiers in June.

Confirming an earlier Post report, a Home Affairs Bureau spokeswoman on Sunday night said the team members arrived back home on September 29 after representing the city at the event.

It was held under a “bubble arrangement” which required isolated accommodation, point-to-point transport and social distancing for the players, she added.

“There is a genuine need for the team to maintain intensive training to upkeep skills and physical fitness in preparation for international competitions ahead, including the Asian Rugby Sevens Series to be held in a few weeks’ time from November 19 to 26,” the spokeswoman said.

Hong Kong’s Max Denmark looks to strip Mexico of the ball in Edmonton. Photo: Handout