Social distancing lifted, masks remain

December 28, 2022

Chief Executive John Lee:

The Vaccine Pass has been very successful in promoting vaccination for all of us and that is why we have successfully reached a 93% vaccination rate for two doses and 83% for three doses.

We have over 2.5 million (people) who have been infected (with COVID-19), so generally we have built quite a strong community immunity against the virus.

We have very good confidence that we can control the risks because the medical service has enhanced its response system and also we have sufficient and effective medicine, and the community has good experience of three years to protect themselves.

We are proceeding to normalisation. It has come to a time where we do not have to rely on the Vaccine Pass.

Regarding the normalisation of travel with the Mainland, we will resume normal travel with the Mainland step by step, (in an) orderly (manner) with a view to full opening, full normalisation. 

And that is what we are doing now, in close discussion with the authorities of the Mainland.

It is my intention to reach an agreement with our counterparts no later than a (certain) time so that we can report to the Central People's Government for endorsement, for implementation before the middle of January.

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government today announced that the current social distancing measures, the Vaccine Pass and isolation order for close contacts of COVID-19 patients will be lifted from tomorrow.

Also from tomorrow, compulsory nucleic acid testing for inbound travellers will be replaced by rapid antigen tests that should be done for five consecutive days after arrival.

Among the social distancing measures set to be cancelled are the restrictions on group gatherings and on the number of people allowed to be seated together at one table in restaurants.

However, the mask-wearing requirement will not be relaxed.

Chief Executive John Lee said at a Command & Coordination Group press conference this afternoon that Hong Kong is heading towards normalisation.

“We have over 2.5 million (people) who have been infected (with COVID-19), so generally we have built quite a strong community immunity against the virus.

“We have very good confidence that we can control the risks because the medical service has enhanced its response system and also we have sufficient and effective medicine, and the community has good experience of three years to protect themselves.

“We are proceeding to normalisation. It has come to a time where we do not have to rely on the Vaccine Pass.”

Mr Lee also touched upon the resumption of normal travel with the Mainland.

“We will resume normal travel with the Mainland step by step, (in an) orderly (manner) with a view to full opening, full normalisation. And that is what we are doing now, in close discussion with the authorities of the Mainland.

“It is my intention to reach an agreement with our counterparts no later than a (certain) time so that we can report to the Central People's Government for endorsement, for implementation before the middle of January.”