China: Authorities in Hong Kong to shorten COVID-19 quarantine period for inbound travelers from Aug. 12 /update 98

Event

Hong Kong authorities will ease COVID-19 quarantine rules for all inbound travelers from Aug. 12. Arrivals must quarantine at a designated hotel for a shorter period of three days instead of seven previously, followed by four days of self-monitoring at home or another hotel after release. During the self-monitoring period, travelers will receive a yellow health code and cannot participate in mask-free activities or visit high-risk premises like restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and fitness centers. However, individuals may attend work and enter public venues like shopping malls and public transport if their daily COVID-19 test result is negative. Travelers who have previously booked a seven-day hotel quarantine will not need to make changes to their reservation; hotels will issue refunds when the eased measures come into effect.

Domestic Measures
Residents must wear facemasks in all public areas. Officials limit public groups to four people. The government allows personal services, fitness sites, and cultural and leisure venues to operate at 50 percent capacity. Restaurants can operate until 23:59; banquets can take place with up to 120 people. Nightclubs, pubs, and karaoke rooms may open until 02:00 at 75 percent capacity; customers must present a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours to enter such premises. Private events can occur at 50 percent capacity; officials permit events at full capacity if at least two-thirds of attendees have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

The vaccine pass system remains in effect. Officials require a pass, indicating at least three COVID-19 vaccine doses, to visit certain venues, such as personal services, fitness establishments, and places of worship. Individuals must use the Leave Home Safe mobile application to access most dining, entertainment, and fitness facilities. Alternative forms are available for exempt groups.

The government continues to order focused, short-duration lockdowns at select buildings within an area and require residents to remain at home until testing is complete. Shutdowns can occur without notice but typically take place overnight. COVID-19 cases and their close contacts must self-isolate at home or a community facility for at least seven days. Asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 cases and close contacts who have received two vaccine doses can exit quarantine after obtaining two consecutive negative rapid antigen test (RAT) results on days 6 and 7. Unvaccinated individuals or people who have received only one vaccine dose may leave home after obtaining a negative RAT result on day 14. People who do not comply with mandatory quarantine orders may face a fine of HKD 25,000 and prison sentences of up to six months.

International Travel Restrictions
Fully vaccinated residents and all travelers who spent the previous 14 days in Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China may enter Hong Kong. Authorities also allow nonresident foreign nationals to enter the territory. Vaccinated senior executives of select publicly listed or registered financial services companies can enter if they meet specific criteria. Permitted executives must undergo COVID-19 testing and adhere to approved itineraries.

Most inbound passengers must provide a negative PCR test result from a sample taken 48 hours or less before arrival; authorities calculate the sample time and date from the time zone of the inbound flight for connecting passengers. Passengers from mainland China and Macau must present a negative PCR test taken within three days prior to, or on the scheduled day of arrival in Hong Kong. Passengers must also hold a reservation at a designated quarantine hotel to board flights. Arrivals must undergo on-arrival COVID-19 testing and remain in specified areas of HKG until receiving a negative result before continuing to hotel quarantine.

Fully vaccinated arrivals from mainland China and Macau must quarantine for seven days at a hotel or home and receive a negative COVID-19 test on day five to exit. Unvaccinated arrivals from both locations must quarantine for 14 days; home quarantine is possible in some circumstances. Unvaccinated arrivals from Taiwan and fully vaccinated travelers outside of Greater China must quarantine for two weeks at designated hotels, and take daily RATs and PCR tests on days 5 and 12. However, passengers can opt for a seven-day quarantine but must return negative test results on days 5-7 to exit early. Travelers seeking reduced quarantine should only book hotel reservations for seven days. All arrivals must self-monitor for symptoms for an additional week after release and undergo further testing on specified days. From Aug. 12, officials will allow all arrivals to quarantine for a shorter three-day period, followed by three days of self-monitoring at home or another hotel after release. For a detailed list of quarantine and testing requirements, click here.

The government allows some groups, such as government officials on duty and cargo and coach drivers, to self-quarantine. All people in self-quarantine are subject to enhanced monitoring. Hong Kong residents who only visited low-risk areas in mainland China or Macau and nonresidents who have been in Guangdong Province or Macau for the previous 14 days can forgo quarantine by making a reservation online. The government operates a quota system for such arrivals. Entrants under the scheme must enter via the Shenzhen Bay or Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge checkpoints or Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), take a COVID-19 test within three days before entry, and undergo tests on specified days after arrival. All other border checkpoints remain closed.

Inbound ship and flight crews must obtain a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours before departure for Hong Kong. Aircrews must quarantine at designated hotels for three days followed by 11 days of medical surveillance; officials may require additional routine testing after quarantine. Locally based aircrew on cargo flights are exempt from quarantine but must take two PCR tests before leaving the airport. Airlines and shipping companies must arrange point-to-point transport for employees to limit interaction with the public; ship workers must travel directly to the airport after disembarking. Cruise ships remain banned.

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. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.

Resources

Hong Kong Government
Leave Home Safe