11 May 2021 | 08:45 PM UTC
China: Authorities in Hong Kong amend quarantine requirements for arrivals from May 12 /update 60
Hong Kong, China, amends quarantine requirements for arrivals from May 12. Some domestic gathering and business controls continue.
Event
Authorities in Hong Kong have adjusted quarantine requirements for arrivals while continuing some domestic gathering controls aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. The new directives, which went into effect at 00:01 May 12, come despite the fact that the government continues to ban nonresident foreign nationals from entering the territory. Hong Kong designates countries and territories worldwide as being at one of five levels of risk for COVID-19 transmission - extremely high, very high, high, medium, and low - and determines entry restrictions accordingly.
Commercial flights from the designated extremely high-risk countries remain prohibited. Entry is banned for all persons, including Hong Kong residents, who have stayed in extremely high-risk countries for more than two hours within 21 days of departure. As of May 12, Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and South Africa are designated as extremely high-risk countries.
Individuals arriving from or with recent travel history in very high-risk locations must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure for Hong Kong. All such arrivals must undergo 21-day quarantines in government-run facilities after arrival. Hong Kong classifies Ireland and the UK as very high-risk locations.
Individuals arriving from or with recent travel history in designated high-risk areas must provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before departure. They are also subject to 21-day quarantines in government-run facilities unless they have proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in which case they must quarantine in government-run facilities for 14 days and then self-monitor for an additional seven days. Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the UAE, and the US are high-risk areas.
Unvaccinated arrivals from designated low-risk locations must quarantine for 14 days and then self-monitor their health for an additional seven days. Vaccinated arrivals from low-risk countries must quarantine for seven days and then self-monitor for an additional seven days. Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore are designated low-risk countries as of May 12.
All other countries and territories are medium-risk; individuals arriving from medium-risk locations are subject to 21-day quarantines in government-run facilities unless they have proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Full vaccinated arrivals from medium-risk locations must quarantine in government-run facilities for 14 days and then self-monitor their health for an additional seven days.
Hong Kong residents arriving from Macau and mainland China can avoid quarantine by making a reservation online, obtaining a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of arrival, and entering via specified border checkpoints or Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Other arrivals traveling from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong must quarantine for 14 days if unvaccinated; vaccinated arrivals arriving from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong must quarantine for seven days and then self-monitor for an additional seven days.
Hong Kong has restricted land border crossings with mainland China indefinitely. Authorized travelers are only permitted entry at the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Immigration processing centers at Ocean Terminal and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal remain closed.
Officials allow some transit flights at HKG if grouped in a single booking and the connection time is shorter than 24 hours. Airport Authority Hong Kong is permitting flights originating from mainland China, but transit flights to mainland China remain banned. Airlines have significantly reduced flights due to decreased demand, and additional cancellations are likely.
All passengers must present a hotel reservation for the entire period before boarding flights. All entrants must undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Hong Kong and at the end of the quarantine period, if applicable. Officials will isolate and treat symptomatic passengers or people testing positive for COVID-19 at government-designated facilities.
Hong Kong is maintaining quarantine measures for crews of aircraft and maritime vessels indefinitely. Under these requirements, ships without cargo cannot exchange crews. On other ships, workers are no longer allowed to enter the territory and must travel directly to the airport after disembarking. Inbound ship crews and flight crew members must obtain a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of departure for Hong Kong. Both airlines and shipping companies must arrange point-to-point transport for employees to limit interaction with the public.
Domestic Controls
Domestically, public gatherings remain limited to four people. The government permits seated entertainment venues to operate 75 percent capacity and religious services at 30 percent capacity. The government requires residents to wear facemasks in all public areas and on public transport.
Restaurants must close most dine-in services at 22:00 daily and confirm that patrons check-in using the Leave Home Safe mobile application or manually collect contact information. However, the government has eased restrictions for establishments and some entertainment venues as part of a "vaccine bubble." Restaurants can extend operating hours to 23:59 and hold groups of up to six people if all staff and customers have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination dose and customers use the Leave Home Safe app. Officials allow operating hours to 02:00 and permit groups of up to eight people 14 days after staff members receive their second COVID-19 vaccine dose; the same customer vaccination requirements and use of the Leave Home Safe app will apply. Authorities also permit nightclubs, karaoke rooms, and pubs to reopen, provided all staff customers have received at least one vaccine dose. These businesses can operate at 50 percent capacity until 02:00 but must limit seating to two people per table.
Authorities continue to conduct mandatory testing for high-risk groups, including people who work or live at locations with reported outbreaks or employees in specific occupations. Officials also require residents that may have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested. People who do not take required tests are subject to a fine of HKD 2,000 (USD 257); officials could impose a fine of up to HKD 25,000 (USD 3,218) or prison sentences of up to six months for individuals who repeatedly fail to get tested. The government intends to continue focused, short-duration lockdown orders in neighborhoods where officials suspect COVID-19 is spreading. Authorities usually select specific buildings within an area and prevent residents from leaving until testing is complete. Shutdowns can occur without notice and typically take place overnight.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by local health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.
