'Time To End Quarantine For Returnees From Mainland'

A pro-Beijing group on Monday called on the government to set up a quota system to enable Hongkongers to enter the territory from the mainland without having to undergo quarantine if they have tested negative for coronavirus.

Youth Vision said now the SAR authorities have agreed to let visitors from Singapore skip the requirement to isolate themselves for two weeks, they have even more reason to come to the same arrangement for those coming in from the mainland. The group said Singapore is one of the Asian countries hardest hit by Covid-19.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam floated the same idea as the group late last month, saying the administration was "in advanced internal discussions" to help Hong Kong residents coming back to the city.

Youth Vision said more than three quarters of the 1,700 people it polled online earlier this month agreed with the proposal, as many have personal or business matters to attend to on either side of the border.

The group's consultant Ben Chan, who is also a DAB lawmaker, said not many people can afford to spend two weeks in quarantine if they come to Hong Kong, and the requirement has affected some people's jobs and mental health.

Jonathan Chow from the group said a daily quarantine-free entry quota should be introduced, with people going on business trips or reuniting with their families getting priority.

"Businessmen coming from the mainland to Hong Kong are the particular people we would like to have priority," Chow said.

"Some of the retired parents... live in the mainland, while their sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters are in Hong Kong. They haven't seen each other for 10 months!" he added.