By The SUN
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| An announcement on the scrapping of quarantine for hotel arrivals is expected next week |
Various media reports say
But the so-called 0+7 scheme could only be implemented by next month, after all the necessary preparations have been made.
In line with what most experts have advised, the negative
PCR test for Covid-17 will also be scrapped to make it easier for travelers to
come to
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Those who come under the current 3+4 (three days hotel quarantine and four days medical surveillance) will be allowed to leave their hotels as soon as the new scheme takes effect.
However, other potential problem areas still need to be addressed, such as whether new arrivals will be required to wait for the result of their PCR test at the airport or allowed to go home in the meantime.
Chief Executive John Lee said at a press briefing on Tuesday that the city was actively looking at connecting with the world “to allow an orderly opening up” but did not mention any dates.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Earlier on Thursday, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the government is still looking at various options to relax pandemic restrictions to stimulate the economy and restore the city’s connectivity to the outside world.
Lo said an announcement will be made on the new arrangements “at the right time” when all the details have been ironed out.
This was repeated at the press briefing held by health authorities this afternoon.
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| CHP's Dr Albert Au and HA's Dr Sara Ho at today's press briefing say the infection has peaked |
Dr Albert Au of the Centre for Health Protection acknowledged that the infection rate seems to have peaked, although it is easing down at a slow pace.
Au also said that any change in the quarantine restrictions for new arrivals will be announced once the government is ready.
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| Press for details |
“Once a decision is made it will be announced soon enough,” he said, adding that a relaxation of gathering restrictions could also be made.
Au reported the number of infections rising slightly to 5,998 today, including 163 imported cases.
There were also 17 related deaths, involving patients aged 55 to 99. They took the death toll in the fifth wave to 9,721.
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| BASAHIN ANG DETALYE |
With the declining number of cases, hospital admissions went down to about 2,200 today. They included 20 patients in intensive care.
The Hospital Authority said it is gradually resuming non-emergency services that were halted when the cases peaked to around 11,000 about two weeks ago.
Of the 163 imported cases, 58 were caught at the airport, 57 during hotel quarantine and 43 between days 4 and 7. Five cases, possibly re-infections, were detected after this period.
The countries with more than one positive cases were the
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PADALA NA!
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