(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Exempting fully vaccinated senior financial executives from compulsory quarantine arrangements can help revive Hong Kong’s economy, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today.

Ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam said the Government needs to consider the revival of Hong Kong’s economy as the situation has stabilised since the fourth wave of the local epidemic hit the city.

She said: “In examining the economic activities that Hong Kong has to conduct at any point in time, there is a very important area called financial services, because after all, Hong Kong is an international financial centre.

“So the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau, in consultation with the regulatory authorities, has proposed that we should provide an alternative arrangement for these senior executives to come so that they can continue to conduct the very essential economic activities in Hong Kong.”

Mrs Lam explained that senior executives must be recognised by regulatory bodies like the Securities & Futures Commission, Insurance Authority and Monetary Authority. They should also have a genuine business purpose to come to Hong Kong.

“And when they are given that exemption to come to Hong Kong without being subject to the usual prevailing quarantine arrangements, they are subject to another set of, I would still call them quarantine arrangements which restrict their behaviours and activities,” she added.