The Hong Kong Government has recently announced a "new direction" in relation to managing the COVID pandemic. The heart of such new direction will involve "vaccine bubbles", which will allow a relaxation of current social gathering restrictions in circumstances where all participants have received at least the first dose of a COVID vaccine.

The statutory maternity leave under the Hong Kong Employment Ordinance (Cap 57) has been extended from 10 weeks to 14 weeks with effect from 11 December 2020, and the Government has committed to reimburse employers' payment in respect of the extended period of maternity leave.

We are delighted to share with you our latest Quarterly Review featuring IP & TMT updates from around the region.