'Talent Will Return After Flight Ban Is Lifted'

The head of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, George Leung, said on Tuesday that Hong Kong's easing of Covid rules can attract talent and businesses that have left to return to the city.

Speaking on an RTHK show, Leung welcomed the government's decision to lift flight bans on nine countries, including the US, UK and Australia.

From April 1, vaccinated Hong Kong residents currently in those countries will be allowed to return to the SAR.

The business leader said the flight bans have had a major impact on Hong Kong’s economy and its international competitiveness, with many professionals and talented workers having left the city, and others unwilling to come.

Many enterprises have also moved part of their operations to places like Singapore, he added.

“By allowing Hong Kong residents to return, that means foreigners who have work permits and live in Hong Kong would also be able to return to work after a relatively short quarantine period. This will make it attractive for them to return,” Leung said.

“If we can control the epidemic, we hope to further relax the measures and let in international travellers too. And ultimately, people will be able to enter Hong Kong without quarantine… I believe gradually, they will come back.”

Meanwhile, health secretary Sophia Chan told the same programme that any further relaxation of rules for inbound travellers will depend on the development of the epidemic situation and a thorough assessment of the risks involved, to prevent the collapse of the city’s medical system.

She added that it is unlikely that existing social distancing measures can be eased before April 21, saying the government has to be extra cautious as transmission chains still exist in the community.

Chan also said that the LeaveHomeSafe app will resume sending out notifications this week, informing users to undergo mandatory testing if they’re at risk of exposure to Covid.