HONG KONG / LOS ANGELES — The Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, which has led the way in introducing anti-virus measures since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, now has taken it one step further: The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) recently launched a standardized COVID-19 hygiene protocol in partnership with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA), one of the leading conformity assessment bodies in the territory, providing unified guidelines on hygiene and anti-epidemic measures for tourism-related industries.
Working closely with citizens and businesses, Hong Kong has adopted some of the globe’s most stringent sanitation and hygiene measures to date. And tourism-related businesses have been particularly effective in implementing these measures that employ cutting-edge cleaning tools and technologies into their daily cleaning operations.
More than 1,800 businesses have signed on to adapt these new anti-epidemic measures intended to help visitors understand the protocols in place across tourism-related sectors, assure their safety, and bolster confidence as they resume travel into the country.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a new normal to the tourism landscape, and public health and safety have become a priority for visitors,” Dr. Y.K. Pang, Chairman of the HKTB, said. “Many international travel and tourism organizations have already put in place hygiene and anti-epidemic guidelines, and standardizing hygiene measures for each sector can spread to visitors the message that Hong Kong values its commitment to hygiene and safety.”
Intended to cover shopping malls, hotels, tourism attractions, restaurants, retail stores, coach companies, travel agencies, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) venues and more, participating businesses and outlets must comply with a series of hygiene and anti-epidemic measures. As these organizations pass the assessment, their particulars will be uploaded to the HKQAA dedicated website where they can display a designated logo to demonstrate their commitment to the protocol.
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The HKQAA will conduct random visits for continued inspections.
“During the development of the standardized protocol, the HKQAA referred to the guidelines by the Center for Health Protection and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department,” Ir C. S. Ho, Chairman of the HKQAA, said. “We aim to promote best practices for hygiene and anti-pandemic measures across tourism-related sectors and acknowledge their efforts in combating the pandemic through professional and impartial third-party verification, thus restoring public confidence in out-of-home consumption and travel.”
For more information, go to www.discoverhongkong.com/us/index.html.
