Hong Kong, Aug 8 (TIWN) Hong Kong has slashed its Covid-19 quarantine requirement for overseas arrivals from seven to three days in a bid to attract business travellers and kick-start economic activity in the Asian financial hub.

The three days of quarantine in an officially assigned hotel room will be followed by another four days of "medical surveillance", Chief Executive John Lee said on Monday.

During those four days, affected people would be able to move around outside, but would not be allowed to visit restaurants, bars or places that normally require proof of vaccination, reports dpa news agency.

The new rules will apply from Friday and are designed to allow maximum economic and social activity, Lee said.