'Compensate Hotels For Change In Quarantine Rules'

The lawmaker representing the tourism sector, Yiu Si-wing, on Tuesday said the government should compensate quarantine hotels for their losses caused by a change in quarantine rules expected to take effect in July.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced on Monday that travellers from overseas who are fully vaccinated will only be required to undergo seven days of quarantine – down from 14 days – if they also test positive for antibodies against Covid-19.

She appealed to quarantine hotels to offer flexibility to travellers and let them leave early without extra charges.

But speaking on an RTHK programmne, Yiu said the government should offer subsidies to hotels which will be affected by the new arrangement.

“The hotels will suffer losses as the customers suddenly leave seven days early. They can’t take new, walk-in customers to fill the gap as they are designated for quarantine purposes,” he said.

The tourism sector lawmaker added that Hong Kong might need more quarantine hotels as more people could travel to the city given the relaxation in rules.

He noted that more than 30 quarantine hotels are already heavily booked for July.