Hong Kong's John Lee stresses balance in easing quarantine

John Lee said Hong Kong is an “international city” and that he was “conscious” of the need for Hong Kong to remain open and convenient to travellers.

Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee said on July 5 at his first news conference since taking office that he will work on easing restrictions for travellers while balancing the risks of a coronavirus outbreak overwhelming the health-care system.

Hong Kong and mainland China are among the few places in the world that still quarantine arrivals to reduce the spread of the virus two and a half years in the pandemic. Most travellers coming to Hong Kong are required to serve a seven-day mandatory quarantine at designated hotels.

Mr. Lee, a former security official who was the only candidate in the election for Hong Kong's chief executive, took office on Friday, succeeding Carrie Lam.

Speaking at his first news conference ahead of an Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Lee said Hong Kong is an “international city” and that he was “conscious” of the need for Hong Kong to remain open and convenient to travellers.

“But it is also important that we address the risks at the same time so that we will maintain good balance,” he said. Mr. Lee said the city's Health Minister was evaluating data to determine how the quarantine duration could be adjusted and would formulate options for Mr. Lee to consider.

COVID-19 cases have been rising in Hong Kong, with more than 1,000 daily since mid-June, compared to just over a hundred daily in early May. The city reported 1,841 new infections on Monday.

Mr. Lee also said Hong Kong had a “constitutional duty” to enact a new security law, in addition to the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 that has wiped out most political dissent and put many democracy supporters under arrest, in hiding or in exile.