Hong Kong has decided to scrap its Covid-19 hotel quarantine policy from September 26th and from now on all the international travelers will be able to return to their homes or an accommodation of their choice and would not need to necessarily check into a hotel.

'Passengers can go to home or hotel' : Hong Kong scraps hotel quarantine policy

Hong Kong is likely to announce reduction in mandatory hotel quarantine inbound international travellers have to undertake as soon as Monday (August 8), reported Bloomberg.

According to the report, officials were to make an announcement on Friday (August 5), but the decision has now been pushed to Monday. This step has reportedly been taken as parameters of reduction in the quarantine time were not decided yet.

Anyone wanting to travel to or from Hong Kong currently needs to have proof of Covid negativity obtained via a test within 48 hours of departure and arrival. After this, the traveller has to spend a week in isolation in a hotel.

Hong Kong is a financial hub and such strict measures on movement of international travellers has certainly had an impact.

In addition to this, city officials were told that more than 80 per cent of the arrivals tested positive on fourth or fifth day of their hotel quarantine. This was reported by South China Morning Post.&nbsp;

Bloomberg cited an unnamed source who said that senior officials of the city were still discussing magnitude of the reduction. The officials have reportedly considered reducing the quarantine duration from seven to three, four or five days. But a final decision is still awaited.

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Hong Kong is likely to announce reduction in mandatory hotel quarantine inbound international travellers have to undertake as soon as Monday (August 8), reported Bloomberg.

Hong Kong is likely to announce reduction in mandatory hotel quarantine inbound international travellers have to undertake as soon as Monday (August 8), reported Bloomberg. According to the report, officials were to make an announcement on Friday (August 5), but the decision has now been pushed to Monday. This step has reportedly been taken as parameters of reduction in the quarantine time were not decided yet. Anyone wanting to travel to or from Hong Kong currently needs to have proof of Covid negativity obtained via a test within 48 hours of departure and arrival. After this, the traveller has to spend a week in isolation in a hotel. Hong Kong is a financial hub and such strict measures on movement of international travellers has certainly had an impact. In addition to this, city officials were told that more than 80 per cent of the arrivals tested positive on fourth or fifth day of their hotel quarantine. This was reported by South China Morning Post. Bloomberg cited an unnamed source who said that senior officials of the city were still discussing magnitude of the reduction. The officials have reportedly considered reducing the quarantine duration from seven to three, four or five days. But a final decision is still awaited. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Covid: Hong Kong may relax hotel quarantine rule in few days

The UK government will on Monday introduce mandatory hotel quarantine rules for arrivals from dozens of countries deemed "high risk" for coronavirus variants, as it tries to stop new strains spreading.

The new policy requires all UK citizens and permanent residents entering England from 33 countries on a wider travel ban list to self-isolate in approved hotels for 10 days and take several Covid-19 tests.

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Other visitors from the countries currently on the so-called "red list", which includes all South American nations, South Africa and Portugal, are currently barred from visiting under lockdown rules.

Arrivals found to have given false information about being in one of the countries 10 days before travel could receive up to 10 years in prison -- which has drawn criticism for being excessive.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-shows-variant-spreading-in-britain-could-become-resistant-to-vaccines-360831" hreflang="en">Study shows variant spreading in Britain could become resistant to vaccines</a>

The government says it has signed contracts with 16 hotels so far, securing nearly 5,000 rooms near English airports, with a further 58,000 rooms on standby.

"The rules coming into force today will bolster the quarantine system and provide another layer of security against new variants at the border," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock, adding that they would also protect the national vaccination programme as the country worked "towards restoring normal life".

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The 11-night quarantine will cost people £1,750 ($2,420, 2,000 euros) and includes transport, food, accommodation and security costs, as well as other essential services and testing.

Passengers must have a negative Covid-19 test result from within three days of travel, and book and pay for the package before setting off for Britain.

They will then take further tests on day two and eight of their stays.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-immigration-officials-still-not-briefed-about-hotel-quarantine-reports-363316" hreflang="en">UK immigration officials still not briefed about hotel quarantine: Reports</a>

The hotel occupants will only be able to leave their rooms in "very limited circumstances", with exercise among them but requiring "special permission" from staff or security.&nbsp;

Anyone refusing to take tests risks a fine of between £1,000 and £2,000, while those who do not self-isolate could have to pay between £5,000 and £10,000.

A limited list of exemptions from the measures include hauliers travelling from Portugal, defence personnel, visiting forces, government contractors and diplomatic missions.

'Can't be easy'

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Sunday the new regime would provide "extra safeguarding" as Britain looks to ease strict lockdown measures next month after weeks of falling infection rates.

"We think we've got the right balance -- robust measures, but targeted measures," he told Sky News, branding calls for a blanket travel ban disproportionate.

The UK government unveiled the plans earlier this month following pressure to tighten Britain's borders amid fears foreign virus variants could derail the country's so far successful mass vaccination programme.

It has vaccinated 15 million of the most vulnerable people with a first jab, and is looking to inoculate all over-50s by May.

Ministers last month scrapped the previous "travel corridors" system that allowed unchecked travel from countries with lower caseloads.

The UK now requires all arrivals from non-"red list" countries to show negative Covid-19 tests and then self-isolate for 10 days at a place of their own choosing.

However, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged the UK government to impose the new hotel quarantine system on arrivals from every country.

Her devolved government was still finalising plans over the weekend to impose a blanket policy on those landing directly in Scotland from Monday.

But it is unclear if they will include preventing arrivals travelling on to Scotland from England.

Wales, which receives fewer international arrivals than its larger UK neighbours, has said it will not adopt hotel quarantines while Northern Ireland is still to decide.

The British government said it had met with stakeholders from various sectors including aviation and hospitality ahead of finalising its plans.

Charlie Islam-Harry, manager of the St Giles Heathrow hotel, said staff would do regular welfare checks on guests during their enforced stays.

"It can't be easy for them to be in a bedroom for 10 days, not having to go anywhere," she told AFP.&nbsp;

"But obviously while they are quarantined we try to keep as much distance as possible because we obviously don't know their health situation."

The UK government will on Monday introduce mandatory hotel quarantine rules for arrivals from dozens of countries deemed "high risk" for coronavirus variants, as it tries to stop new strains spreading.

The UK government will on Monday introduce mandatory hotel quarantine rules for arrivals from dozens of countries deemed "high risk" for coronavirus variants, as it tries to stop new strains spreading. The new policy requires all UK citizens and permanent residents entering England from 33 countries on a wider travel ban list to self-isolate in approved hotels for 10 days and take several Covid-19 tests. Also read| 'Toings, froings and kerfuffle': UK PM Boris Johnson reacts to Trump's impeachment trial Other visitors from the countries currently on the so-called "red list", which includes all South American nations, South Africa and Portugal, are currently barred from visiting under lockdown rules. Arrivals found to have given false information about being in one of the countries 10 days before travel could receive up to 10 years in prison -- which has drawn criticism for being excessive. Also read| Study shows variant spreading in Britain could become resistant to vaccines The government says it has signed contracts with 16 hotels so far, securing nearly 5,000 rooms near English airports, with a further 58,000 rooms on standby. "The rules coming into force today will bolster the quarantine system and provide another layer of security against new variants at the border," said Health Secretary Matt Hancock, adding that they would also protect the national vaccination programme as the country worked "towards restoring normal life". Also read| 'That didn’t occur': UK PM Boris Johnson was sure he would survive coronavirus The 11-night quarantine will cost people £1,750 ($2,420, 2,000 euros) and includes transport, food, accommodation and security costs, as well as other essential services and testing. Passengers must have a negative Covid-19 test result from within three days of travel, and book and pay for the package before setting off for Britain. They will then take further tests on day two and eight of their stays. Also read| UK immigration officials still not briefed about hotel quarantine: Reports The hotel occupants will only be able to leave their rooms in "very limited circumstances", with exercise among them but requiring "special permission" from staff or security. Anyone refusing to take tests risks a fine of between £1,000 and £2,000, while those who do not self-isolate could have to pay between £5,000 and £10,000. A limited list of exemptions from the measures include hauliers travelling from Portugal, defence personnel, visiting forces, government contractors and diplomatic missions. 'Can't be easy' Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Sunday the new regime would provide "extra safeguarding" as Britain looks to ease strict lockdown measures next month after weeks of falling infection rates. "We think we've got the right balance -- robust measures, but targeted measures," he told Sky News, branding calls for a blanket travel ban disproportionate. The UK government unveiled the plans earlier this month following pressure to tighten Britain's borders amid fears foreign virus variants could derail the country's so far successful mass vaccination programme. It has vaccinated 15 million of the most vulnerable people with a first jab, and is looking to inoculate all over-50s by May. Ministers last month scrapped the previous "travel corridors" system that allowed unchecked travel from countries with lower caseloads. The UK now requires all arrivals from non-"red list" countries to show negative Covid-19 tests and then self-isolate for 10 days at a place of their own choosing. However, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged the UK government to impose the new hotel quarantine system on arrivals from every country. Her devolved government was still finalising plans over the weekend to impose a blanket policy on those landing directly in Scotland from Monday. But it is unclear if they will include preventing arrivals travelling on to Scotland from England. Wales, which receives fewer international arrivals than its larger UK neighbours, has said it will not adopt hotel quarantines while Northern Ireland is still to decide. The British government said it had met with stakeholders from various sectors including aviation and hospitality ahead of finalising its plans. Charlie Islam-Harry, manager of the St Giles Heathrow hotel, said staff would do regular welfare checks on guests during their enforced stays. "It can't be easy for them to be in a bedroom for 10 days, not having to go anywhere," she told AFP. "But obviously while they are quarantined we try to keep as much distance as possible because we obviously don't know their health situation."

UK rolls out hotel quarantine for 'high risk' country returnees

With almost 48 hours left before the UK imposes the compulsory hotel quarantine for all incoming travellers, the immigration officials are yet to be briefed, as per local media reports.

It has been reported that the immigration officers have not been informed about this decision at all, till now. While they have read and heard about it in the newspapers and channels, they have not received official communication.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-travellers-may-have-to-undergo-covid-tests-in-quarantine-362462">UK travellers may have to undergo Covid tests in quarantine</a>

"They've had no information at all," said Lucy Moreton, the general secretary of the ISU. "They can watch the media, read statements from ministers, but that’s pretty much it."

This has come as a shock as the country has announced that from Monday, travellers arriving from 33 countries named in the "red list" will be forced to spend at least 10 days in hotel quarantine, but at their own expense.

These 33 countries are the ones where the spread of new variants, which are vaccine resistant, is more and the cases have been increasing.

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Travellers have also complained that they have been unable to book a hotel room for their compulsory quarantine as the official booking portal faced a "minor technical issue".

"It is Friday afternoon and I understand Border Force still haven’t been given the operational guidance on how the hotel quarantine system will work from Monday. This isn’t good enough," said Yvette Cooper, Labour MP, chair of Commons home affairs committee.

"We urgently need to know what arrangements have been made to ensure that those from high-risk countries about to go to hotels aren’t queueing with people about to get on the tube or train home."

The new guidelines have also raised concerns as the travellers fear mixing with people coming from the 'red list' countries.

In addition to this, experts have also warned against letting the quarantined travellers come out once a day for exercise.

With almost 48 hours left before the UK imposes the compulsory hotel quarantine for all incoming travellers, the immigration officials are yet to be briefed, as per local media reports.

With almost 48 hours left before the UK imposes the compulsory hotel quarantine for all incoming travellers, the immigration officials are yet to be briefed, as per local media reports. It has been reported that the immigration officers have not been informed about this decision at all, till now. While they have read and heard about it in the newspapers and channels, they have not received official communication. Also read| UK travellers may have to undergo Covid tests in quarantine "They've had no information at all," said Lucy Moreton, the general secretary of the ISU. "They can watch the media, read statements from ministers, but that’s pretty much it." This has come as a shock as the country has announced that from Monday, travellers arriving from 33 countries named in the "red list" will be forced to spend at least 10 days in hotel quarantine, but at their own expense. These 33 countries are the ones where the spread of new variants, which are vaccine resistant, is more and the cases have been increasing. Also read| Melbourne orders snap coronavirus lockdown during Australian Open tennis Travellers have also complained that they have been unable to book a hotel room for their compulsory quarantine as the official booking portal faced a "minor technical issue". "It is Friday afternoon and I understand Border Force still haven’t been given the operational guidance on how the hotel quarantine system will work from Monday. This isn’t good enough," said Yvette Cooper, Labour MP, chair of Commons home affairs committee. "We urgently need to know what arrangements have been made to ensure that those from high-risk countries about to go to hotels aren’t queueing with people about to get on the tube or train home." The new guidelines have also raised concerns as the travellers fear mixing with people coming from the 'red list' countries. In addition to this, experts have also warned against letting the quarantined travellers come out once a day for exercise.

UK immigration officials still not briefed about hotel quarantine: Reports

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