Starting March 1, COVID-19 nucleic acid tests will no longer be required for people visiting patients at public hospitals and some hospitals plan to adjust their visiting hours and sessions, the Hospital Authority announced today.

It further explained that visitors only need to perform a COVID-19 rapid antigen test within 24 hours before their visit and show proof of a negative result.

Moreover, while visiting hours and sessions at public hospitals will be subject to ward operations, the visiting hours of some hospital wards will be extended to longer than two hours.

Additionally, various visiting hours will be arranged to give families more flexibility and time to visit with patients.

The authority pointed out that there is no restriction on the number of visitors and even though visitors can take turns to call on patients, only two people may enter the ward at the same time for each patient.

It also emphasised that the previously relaxed visiting arrangements will remain in place subject to the operation of wards, including no prior appointment required for visitors and allowing visitors to feed patients.

Except for a small number of wards that do not allow visiting due to operational constraints, all public hospital wards will implement the new visiting arrangements from Wednesday, the authority added.

Visitors may ask for more details from ward staff.