Covid-hit summiteers could leave on jets

Regardless of what is decided in the near future on Covid restrictions for inbound travelers before a banking summit early next month, authorities could allow attendees at the event to leave the SAR on private jets should they test positive for the virus.

Department of Health and Monetary Authority officials are said to be in discussions to finalize details for the two-day summit set for early next month, including what to do if a participant is infected.

One option is to allow Covid-positive attendees to leave on a private jet if arrangements can be made to keep them isolated while they travel from their hotel to the airport.

But if someone without access to a plane tests positive they will be allowed to isolate in their hotel room, in line with existing rules, and would not be able to leave on a commercial flight.

Most attendees will stay at the Four Seasons hotel, where the summit will be held, allowing authorities to manage them in a centralized way.

The authority has said the administration has approved a set of infection control arrangements for the summit, but details have yet to be made known. But all attendees must take part in the PCR testing regimen, though how many tests they will need to take remains to be seen.

About 200 participants from over 100 major global firms – including banks, securities companies, asset managers, private equity and venture capital firms, hedge funds and insurers – are expected to attend.

Top executives attending include Goldman Sachs chairman David Solomon, Blackstone president Jonathan Gray and Morgan Stanley chief executive James Gorman.

Hong Kong has eased some of its strictest Covid curbs, including scrapping mandatory hotel quarantine entirely, in the lead-up to a series of events aimed at reviving the SAR’s global reputation.

The changes fueled speculation that it could go one step further and remove the three days of restrictions for new arrivals that prevents them from going to bars or eating at restaurants while permitting them to take public transport and go to work.

That optimism has been tempered by a more cautious note struck by officials as the daily case tally edges higher.

Chief Executive John Lee on Wednesday reaffirmed his plan to ease virus measures in an orderly manner to avoid “backtracking,” while stressing the SAR’s reopening efforts cannot pose a risk to the mainland.