Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee will announce an end to hotel quarantine at a press conference slated for 3:30 p.m. on Friday, according to people familiar with the matter.

The government will scrap the previously mandatory measure and a requirement that arrivals get a negative PCR test before boarding a plane, according to people who asked not to be identified discussing the changes.

Travelers who don’t have Covid will be allowed into public venues like restaurants and bars after three days of home monitoring, the people said.

Those who are found to be positive on arrival will no longer be sent to the Penny’s Bay isolation facility.

Those who are found to be positive on arrival will no longer be sent to the Penny’s Bay isolation facility. 

Senior officials met earlier in the day for a final discussion on changes to Hong Kong’s Covid measures, which are among the strictest in the world.

The moves come as the city faces unprecedented economic challenges and pressure to open up globally as it falls further behind its regional rival Singapore.

Several high-profile events including an international banking summit and the iconic Rugby Sevens tournament are slated to begin in November.

Bankers stipulated that a cut in quarantine rules would be needed in order for them to attend.

Bankers stipulated that a cut in quarantine rules would be needed in order for them to attend.