Experts Split On Transit Risk, Rebut Health Code

Health experts differed on risks linked to the resumption of transit service at the airport for travellers from mainland cities, but shot down calls for a "health code" system that will exempt visitors with a negative test certificate from some preventive measures like quarantine.

This comes as authorities said overnight that travellers from the mainland will be able to transit in Hong Kong to flights elsewhere from Saturday, though they'll have to make alternative plans if they want to return to the mainland.

Dr Ho Pak-leung of the University of Hong Kong expressed concern about this, saying there are some places on the mainland, such as Xinjiang and Liaoning, which had seen small clusters of infections.

He questioned what the authorities would do with mainland travellers who had recently visited these areas.

But respiratory medicine specialist Dr Leung Chi-chiu said the new regulation is unlikely to pose a risk as the Covid-19 situation on the mainland was under control and it’s considered a low-risk area. 

He pointed out that the airport already allowed travellers from some high-risk areas to transit in Hong Kong from June.

Meanwhile, both experts opposed a proposal put forward by some pro-government lawmakers to introduce a “health code” scheme, under which people who test negative for Covid-19 would be given a digital certificate and exempted from some social distancing rules.

Leung reminded people that the incubation period for Covid-19 ranges from one to 14 days, and that those who test negative may think they are "invincible" but will then get sick afterwards.

He said that if people want to return to business as usual, then they must first 'fight the fire" to control the epidemic, and prevent any imported cases from entering the community.

The expert said that if such risks are ignored, then it can result in large-scale cross-infections at places such as restaurants, which will worsen the Covid-19 situation in the city.

Ho shared similar views, saying it’s not a feasible plan as the test result is only valid for seven days.