After a four-year covid enforced break, the Tourism Board have announced that the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will return to Victoria Harbor on 24-25 June.
Online registration for dragon boat teams will be open from 10am on 20 March on the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association website.
Dragon Boat Carnival
Date: 24-25 June, 2023
Venue: Off Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade
Tickets: Free
images: HK Tourism Board
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region the Hong Kong Tourism Board has announced a special edition of A Symphony of Lights. The Hong Kong Harbour Fiesta will run daily throughout July from 8pm – 8:10pm.
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images: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Yet more illogical changes to Hong Kong’s social distancing measures. Why is it ‘safe’ to go to the cinema or have a massage – yet not sit on the beach in the sun where the sunshine can kill the virus and help strengthen the bodies defences against the virus. Why can four people sit in a restaurant to drink and eat but not in a bar?…
Social distancing measures will be relaxed from 21 April in three phases over a period of three months. Use of LeaveHomeSafe and Vaccine Pass upon entering premises will still be required.
• Reopening of amusement game centres, fitness centres, places of amusement, places of public entertainment, beauty parlours and massage establishments, sports premises, event premises and religious premises, where the number of persons per group gathering will be 4 generally.
• Relaxation of dine-in service hours at catering premises to 10pm, with the maximum number of persons allowed per table increased to 4; bars/pubs to remain closed.
• Reopening of all sports premises, museums, performance venues and libraries under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
• Masks-on all the time (including when doing exercise) except under necessary circumstances, e.g. eating or drinking at catering premises, receiving facial treatment at beauty parlours.
• Relaxation of the restriction on the maximum number of persons per group gathering in a public place to 4; cancellation of the prohibition on multi-household gatherings at private premises involving more than 2 households.
• Reopening of the remaining scheduled premises, i.e. swimming pools, bathhouses, party rooms, clubs/nightclubs, karaoke establishments, mahjong/tin kau premises and cruise ships; relaxation of the restriction on the maximum number of persons per table/group gathering at scheduled premises to 8 by and large.
• Reopening of beaches under Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
• Masks-off allowed in outdoor areas of country parks, when engaging in strenuous physical activities in outdoor public places, at sports premises and fitness centres, etc.
• Further relaxation of dine-in service hours at catering premises to midnight, with the maximum number of persons allowed per table increased to 8; reopening of bars/pubs, with the opening hours until midnight/2am and maximum number of persons allowed per table at 4
• Lifting of the restrictions on the maximum number of customers in terms of capacity limit, business/dine-in hours, maximum number of persons per group gathering, etc. at all catering premises (including bars/pubs) and scheduled premises
The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk
With over 50% of Hong Kong’s population infected or recovering from Covid. What need is there for hotel quarantine (apart from hotel profits) unless a person fails a PCR test on arrival?
With effect from 1 April, the “flight ban” on the nine countries (Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) will be lifted.
Quarantine arrangements, under Cap. 599E, for all arrivals to be rationalised as follows:
Only Hong Kong Residents who are fully vaccinated can board a flight for Hong Kong.
A negative PCR-based nucleic acid test, taken within 48 hours of departure.
Confirmation of room reservation in a Designated Quarantine Hotel (DQH) for at least 7 nights.
“Test and hold” upon arrival in Hong Kong, where a rapid PCR-based nucleic acid test will be conducted; upon a negative test result, a 14-day Quarantine Order will be issued and designated transport taken to go to the DQH.
During the quarantine period, daily RATs will be conducted and PCR-based nucleic acid tests on Day 5 and (if still in the DQH) on Day 12.
If the results of Day 5 PCR-based nucleic acid test and Day 6 and 7 RATs are all negative, early discharge from the DQH will be allowed
If early discharge is opted for: self-monitoring for 7 days, with a PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted at a community testing centre on Day 12.
Otherwise: a PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted in the DQH on Day 12, followed by discharge from the DQH on Day 14 upon a negative result
If the result of the PCR-based nucleic acid test during “test and hold”, Day 5 or 12 PCR based nucleic acid test or daily RAT is positive, transfer to a community isolation hotel will be arranged with an Isolation Order issued.
The isolation and discharge arrangements will be the same as those for local cases in isolation, i.e. completion of isolation for leading a normal life upon Day 6 and 7 RAT negative results
The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk
The Hong Kong Government has announced that the flight suspension for Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended to 20 April 2022.
All passenger flights from the nine countries are banned from landing in Hong Kong!
Anyone who has stayed in these countries for more than two hours within 14 days of their planned arrival will be prohibited from boarding any flight to Hong Kong.
The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has released the visitor arrivals data for December 2021 and the year as a whole.
In December 2021 there were 9,448 arrivals (6.475 from the mainland, 2,973 non-mainland) a 94% rise year on year. But a 90+% drop from 2019.
Arrivals for 2021 were 91,368 (65,694 from the mainland, 25,704 non-mainland) a 97% drop from 2020.
A beautiful video from Wild Pi about hiking the North Dragon Stream, one of the Five Dragons of Tung Chung, and renowned for its pristine water.
Tung Chung’s Five Dragons refer to the five main streams at Wong Lung Hang (Yellow Dragon Valley). The five streams are: North Dragon Stream, Living Dragon Stream, Yellow Dragon Stream, Hidden Dragon Stream and East Dragon Stream.
Flowing into Tung Chung Bay, Yellow Dragon Stream – into which the others flow – is the major stream and it originates at Sunset Peak, Hong Kong’s third-highest mountain.
Warning: Hiking in streams is dangerous! Check the weather before setting out, never go alone.
Pick up your rubbish, don’t spoil nature’s beauty by leaving anything behind.
For more about Wild Pi :
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wild.pi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildpi3.14/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIukLawRWR_nDSrA3oRXTg
Established in 1888 the Peak Tram has evolved over 130 years from a means of transportation into one of Hong Kong’s most-visited attractions.
The double reversible funicular railway, as it is technically known, rises from 28m to 396m above sea level along a 1.4 km track with a gradient of between 4 to 25.7 degrees.
The current Peak Tram has been in operation for 32 years and will close for around six months on 28 June for renovation and upgrade. The familiar burgundy trams will run until 1 June, before eight local artists – Peter Ng, Uncle@Afterworkshop, Stella So, Nopaperstudio, Pei Chung, Even Lee, Jacmila and John Lam – decorate the cars with locally themed artwork.
No information has been currently provided about bus routes to replace the tram while it’s closed.
