Asia tech summit RISE postponed to 2024 despite shorter quarantine period, while exhibition sector calls on Hong Kong government to further ease travel curbs

Organisers of a leading international tech conference in Hong Kong have postponed the event once again to 2024, citing coronavirus restrictions, while the exhibition sector has called on the government to further relax measures to ensure the city does not lose out to competing Asian hubs which have lifted entry curbs.

The Health Bureau on Tuesday said in a reply to the Post that it was aware that some exhibitions were purely for business activities and not open to the public, adding that it would consider if there was scope to further facilitate such events, while taking into account Covid-19 transmission risks and economic needs.

Katherine Farrell, a spokeswoman for conference organiser Web Summit who is based in the Irish capital Dublin, said the decision was due to “ongoing uncertainties” brought on by the pandemic, adding that organisers were working closely with the Hong Kong government.

When asked by the Post whether the recent shortening of the hotel quarantine period to three days, followed by four days of home medical surveillance with limited freedom of movement, was enough to hold the summit next year, Farrell said the city’s entry curbs had played a role in the decision to postpone the event again.

“As we host international technology events bringing founders from all over the world, the current travel restrictions to enter Hong Kong played a part in our decision to postpone RISE,” Farrell said in a statement, adding that the government had not offered quarantine exemptions for the summit.

Under Hong Kong’s latest travel arrangements, arrivals found to be infected are given a red health code, while those under four days of home medical surveillance receive an amber one. People with an amber code cannot enter certain premises such as exhibition and trade show venues, as well as restaurants and bars.