Hong Kong to End COVID‑19 Hotel Quarantine from September 26

Hong Kong Ends 2½‑Year‑Old Hotel Quarantine for New Arrivals

On a Friday that will be remembered in the city’s history books, the Chief Executive John Lee announced that Hong Kong will finally ditch its stubborn hotel‑quarantine rule from September 26. After more than two and a half years of catching travellers in a self‑paid hotel, it’s time for the “Free‑4‑All” era.

What the new rules mean for incoming travellers

Instead of staying in a designated hotel for three days, vacationers, businesspeople and board‑room travelers can hop straight into their own homes or hotels.
They’ll need to self‑monitor for the next three days after arrival – no bloody long‑haul flights or dorm‑style parking needed.
During those days, people can go to work or school, but bars and restaurants will remain off-limits until day four.
The required 48‑hour‑before‑flight PCR test is being replaced by a quick Rapid Antigen Test – because speed and comfort matters.

Between the lines: The old “dynamic‑zero” policy still controls the bar code

The government’s wording about “maximum possibilities” feels like a playful wink. But behind the friendly tone is the heavy hand of the city’s long‑standing zero‑COVID strategy which set Hong Kong apart from the mainland as a “special administrative hub.” The hotel‑quarantine was a visual signal: a mirror of the city’s stubborn pandemic caution.

Impact on the business and social scene

Business groups, diplomats and local residents have been shouting for a change, claiming the rules dent Hong Kong’s competitiveness.
The craze to stay flew high; on the move from the airport to the office, people now skip the three‑day hotel days.
Airport traffic took a nosedive: countless flights to and from Hong Kong have paused, making the once‑busy international hub feel like an airport in a time‑warp.
By mid‑2021, roughly 113,000 people had left the city, a mass exodus that partially mirrors China’s tighter grip on freedoms.

Some rules still stand firm

Despite the day‑to‑day freedom, the city continues to ban public gatherings of more than four people and keeps mask mandates in place for everyone, including toddlers. Masks are now a permanent fashion accessory for kids as young as two, especially in schools.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong, pack your itinerary instead of a hotel and get ready for a slightly less restrictive, more “live‑your‑own‑life” visit, while still keeping the city’s chirashi‑style focus on safety in mind.

Drinking ok, no eating

Hong Kong Preps for Business‑as‑Usual: Finance Summit & Rugby Sevens

Let’s face it, since the pandemic hit, the only things that didn’t get cancelled were the ideas you’re about to read. Hong Kong is determined to show the world it can jump back into the groove with a big‑ticket finance conference and the flashy Rugby Sevens set for November.

Quarantine‑Free Travel: The Golden Ticket

Bankers claim you must be able to cruise into the city without a 14‑day quarantine to make it worth the trip.
When travel restrictions lift, expect the city to light up like a New Year’s fireworks display.

Fans & Players: The “New Normal” Game Plan

Robbie McRobbie, Chief Executive of the Rugby Union, says it’s pretty simple: drink, mask up, scan that vaccination pass, and you’re good to go. The stadium could host around 30,000 passionate fans at 85% capacity under current rules.

“We don’t see these safety measures as big roadblocks to enjoying a day out at the Sevens,” McRobbie chuckled, pointing out that any team with five or more positive COVID‑19 cases will have to withdraw from the tournament.

Staff, Media, & Protectors

Staff and media will need to wear protective gear.
Spectators must either wear masks or provide a valid vaccine certificate.
Nothing stopping you from partying at the event—just remember to keep the events safe, folks.

HSBC and Cathay Pacific have teamed up as the main sponsors of the Sevens, giving the event a solid financial base and a touch of local pride.

Global Comparisons: Singapore, Taiwan, & Japan

While Hong Kong is in the mix, Singapore’s doing an impressive parade of high‑profile conferences that’s boosting hotel and restaurant business. Meanwhile, Taiwan and Japan announced that their travel restrictions are easing, set to go live in October.

Yet Hong Kong still carries a legacy of the pandemic, with over 1.7 million cases and 9,934 deaths recorded since the crisis began.

Bottom Line

In a world still craving normal, Hong Kong’s plan to host personal finance and sports events shows you can put the “fun” back into business—just make sure to mask up like it’s a new fashion trend.

Hong Kong Ends 2½‑Year‑Old Hotel Quarantine for New Arrivals