Hong Kong Tourism Board Introduce Standard Hygiene Protocol

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched a cleaning certification program for all the tourist attractions and hotels to ensure visitors’ safety from COVID-19. HKTB along with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA) have prepared a list of hygiene standards for hotels, restaurants, and tourist hotspots to keep people informed about the Coronavirus protocol.

The protocol aims at providing a standardised guidelines on hygiene measures for tourism-related industries. Dr YK Pang, Chairman of the HKTB, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new normal to the tourism landscape, and public health and safety have become a priority for visitors. Many international travel and tourism organisations have already put in place hygiene and anti-epidemic guidelines, and standardising hygiene measures for each sector can spread to visitors the message that different sectors across Hong Kong value their commitment to hygiene and safety.”

The protocol will be applicable on hotels, restaurants, malls, stores, tourism attractions, and more. The businesses need to follow these hygiene and anti-epidemic measures and after they state the assessment, details of the businesses will be uploaded on a dedicated website of the HKQAA.

This will help visitors and locals too in understanding which outlet is safe to visit. Meanwhile the HKQAA will conduct random inspections if the protocol is being followed.

The best part is around 1800 businesses and outlets have shown interest in registering for the program, including the Hong Kong Disneyland. Disneyland in Hong Kong was reopened last month and visitors are required to make advance reservations to visit. They are also required to sign a health declaration form, and follow all the mandatory rules including social distancing and face masks.

Till now, Hong Kong has recorded 5176 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 105 deaths.