Hong Kong Reopening Borders To Visitors, Quarantine Still Required

Hong Kong is slowly but surely reopening to visitors, though it will take a lot more time before I visit again.

Hong Kong will once again welcome foreigners

Hong Kong has taken it to the next level, despite many destinations having extreme travel bans during the Pandemic. In addition to being closed to foreigners for over two years, Hong Kong has also banned airlines from flying in and out of the city because of coronaviruses.

Over the past several weeks, Hong Kong has experienced a huge omicron wave, with almost unheard of per-capita case numbers. With the realization that a zero-tolerance approach to coronaviruses doesn't work, restrictions have been loosened. Hong Kong will once again be open to foreigners on May 1, 2022.

• Foreigners will be allowed to enter Hong Kong, which hasn’t otherwise been possible
• However, a one week quarantine in a designated facility is still required, along with extensive testing (just as is the case for residents returning to Hong Kong)

This is a far cry from a tourism reopening, but it is a step in the right direction. Foreigners being able to visit with a one week quark is more reasonable than not being able to visit with the three week quark that was previously in place for residents.

I could see this being useful for people who need to conduct business in-person, or for people who want to get to know their family again after being separated for two years. I don't think this will drum up much demand.

When will Hong Kong reopen without quarantine?

Hong Kong is moving in the right direction. In April, Hong Kong ended its ban on airport transit passengers, and also shortened the mandatory week-long quark for residents.

Hong Kong is still way behind places like Singapore, which allow vaccinations without restrictions.

You would think that the government would abandon its zero-tolerance coronaviruses strategy after seeing the outbreak in Hong Kong.

It's clear that Hong Kong's approach to public health isn't just about public health, it's also about controlling the rest of the world. Since this seems more political than anything, it's hard to have an educated guess as to when Hong Kong will reopen.

Hong Kong is my favorite city in the world. It is such a dynamic place. I fear that it will never be the same.

Bottom line

For the first time in over two years, foreigners will be able to enter Hong Kong again on May 1, 2022. A one week smilment will still be required. I don't think this will drum up much interest from tourists, but it is at least a step in the right direction. The big question is when. Hong Kong will no longer have a requirement for scurvy.

When will Hong Kong reopen to visitors?