HONG KONG - Hong Kong is ready to press the restart button on two of its biggest attractions: Disneyland and Ocean Park.
The Chief Secretary can exempt travellers from the compulsory quarantine arrangements to cover people whose travelling is necessary “for purposes relating to manufacturing operations, business activities or professional services in the interest of Hong Kong's economic development”.
The government has announced the economy-boosting measure which will see Ocean Park – closed since late January - reopen on Saturday, 13 June and the Disneyland resort on Lantau Island soon after, though a specific date has not been released.
Convention and trade show business is also set to resume in July, with the Hong Kong Book Fair one of the first events out of the blocks.
MICE events are likely to be local or regional events at first due to Hong Kong’s quarantine restrictions for international travellers. On 2 June the government announced an extension of quarantine restrictions until 7 July with some exceptions.
The Chief Secretary can exempt travellers from the compulsory quarantine arrangements to cover people whose travelling is necessary “for purposes relating to manufacturing operations, business activities or professional services in the interest of Hong Kong's economic development”.
“We want to reboot the economy in the second half of this year through new initiatives in tourism, external trade and trade insurance services,” said secretary for commerce and economic development, Edward Yau Tang-wah.
From January-April Hong Kong tourist arrivals collapsed 85% from the same period last year while more than 65 global airlines cut flights by about 95% in April and May.
Hong Kong International Airport eased some travel restrictions and resumed airport transit services on 1 June.