Pro-Beijing lawmakers stood in a row behind Xi, handout photos from the day showed.
Ho said he tested mildly positive on Friday and had to retire. According to a statement on his official Facebook page, he did not attend any anniversary celebrations that day. He then tested positive for the virus on Sunday.
The fact that someone who came in contact with Xi tested positive for the virus would be seen as a blow to the Hong Kong administration, which has spent a lot of time and resources preparing for the trip and trying to ensure Trying to make it covid-free.
The border between Hong Kong and mainland China is largely sealed because of the virus.
Prior to his visit, hundreds of Hong Kong officials and legislators were forced into a “closed-loop” system to prevent any spread of the virus. He was only allowed to travel between home and work in a private vehicle and was forced to spend a night in a quarantine hotel on the eve of the handover anniversary. They were also subject to daily testing.
Xi, who has not traveled outside mainland China since the start of the pandemic more than two years ago, spent Thursday and Friday in Hong Kong. He also attended anniversary events and swearing-in ceremonies for Hong Kong’s new Beijing-appointed leader, former security chief and police officer John Lee.
Xi himself has imposed a strict “zero-Covid” policy on China, with state media often reporting that he has “personally ordered and arranged” for the country’s fight against the pandemic.
Despite the high vaccination rate and reduction in overall cases, the Hong Kong government remains committed to its “zero COVID” style policy, maintaining strict social distancing and contact tracing measures, as well as strict border restrictions – including a mandatory seven-day Hotel quarantine for all arrivals.
CNN’s Jesse Yeung and Kathleen Magramo contributed reporting.