Hong Kong shortens quarantine

Hong Kong is lowering the quarantine period on entry by seven days to 14 days. The change is effective from February 5, said Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Diplomats and the financial sector had previously criticized the length of the quarantine, arguing that it would harm competition. Lam said she was not bowing to pressure from others. Omicron has been shown to have a fairly short incubation period, she said. Previously, entrants must spend 21 days in hotel quarantine at their own expense. Lam did not yet specify to which countries the new regulation would apply. rtr