'Beijing Isn't Ready To Lift HK Border Restrictions'

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, says the central government is not prepared to ease the border restrictions on SAR visitors which have been imposed over the coronavirus pandemic.

Before heading to the capital, Lam had said that she would ask Beijing to exempt Hong Kong people travelling to the mainland from having to undergo 14 days of quarantine.

But speaking to reporters after a meeting with Vice Premier Han Zheng, the CE said she had been told that Hong Kong needs to continue strengthening its anti-epidemic measures before restrictions can be eased.

“People on the mainland can rest assured that we will not ignore their health for the sake of Hong Kong’s economy or Hong Kong people’s demands,” Lam said in Putonghua, in response to a question from a mainland reporter.

“We have updated mainland health authorities on Hong Kong’s latest anti-Covid strategy, but up until this very moment, we have been told to work even harder before we can reach the threshold for restrictions to be lifted.”

Meanwhile, the CE said she had received a very “encouraging response” from the various department and bureau heads regarding her proposals for the mainland to introduce policies to help boost the SAR's economy and improve people’s livelihoods.

While she refused to reveal the outcome of those meetings, she said the central government officials had generally been “very supportive”, adding that measures that have been agreed upon will be included in her Policy Address which she hopes to deliver on November 25.