Hong Kong Might Introduce a Travel “Health Pass” for Residents, No Signs of Reopening for Tourism
Hong Kong Might Introduce a Travel “Health Pass” for Residents, No Signs of Reopening for Tourism
Hong Kong is open to tourists who have been in Mainland China, Taiwan or Macao for the last 14 days or more, plus vaccinated executives from international companies.
Travelers must also present confirmation in English or Chinese of a room reservation in a government-designated quarantine hotel for not less than 21 nights starting on the day of the arrival.
Vaccinated visitors will see quarantine reduced to 7 days only. Conditions apply
They also must submit proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test taken within 72 hours before departure.
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Hong Kong reopening timeline – Latest updates
September 1 – Hong Kong might Introduce a travel “Health Pass”
The hit of the fifth wave of infections is imminent and Hong Kong prepares different strategies to fight it.
One of them is the possible introduction of a “Health Pass” for residents to access restaurants, cinemas,shopping centers, and long-distance trains and aircraft, suggested the Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen on Sunday.
“I believe such a policy can undeniably help us control the pandemic situation. But when there are no local cases, implementing such a move may result in a significant backlash from the public,” Dr Joseph Tsang Kay-yan, chair of the Medical Association’s communicable diseases committee said.
August 17 – Hong Kong cuts travel quarantine from 21 to 7 days for vaccinated visitors from August 16
Hong Kong has eased its travel restrictions and modified its list of high-risk countries. Most of the new changes came into effect on Monday.
New Zealand is the only country worldwide that managed to make it to the ‘low-risk list.
The medium-risk list includes all countries but 25 including the U.S., UAE, France and Spain, which are now considered high-risk territories according to the new classification.
Fully vaccinated travelers with valid vaccination certificates will see their hotel quarantine reduced to only 7 days.
Source: SimpleFlying
Entry Restrictions and Requirements
to be eligible to travel through these “travel bubbles”, Commerce chief Edward Yau Tang-wah, considers that providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test before taking off and upon arrival will be needed.
However, he emphasized that the situation is and will keep changing because each destination may have different restrictions, meaning, this is not going to be the only requirement.
Who is currently allowed to enter Hong Kong?
- Visitors with Hong Kong residency, travelers that have not been outside China, Taiwan, and Macau in the past 14 days are permitted to enter Hong Kong.
- Hong Kong residents coming from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and China.
- U.S citizens are allowed if they comply with the requirements below.
- Directors and senior executives of the 500 biggest companies in the world.
For more detailed information click here.
Documents travelers must submit at the airport
- Proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test taken within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure.
- A hotel booking confirmation for not less than 21 days starting on the day of arrival in Hong Kong.
Important! – The Hong Kong government provides free testing in public hospitals. Find more information about free testing here.
COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong
As of September 1, the region has reported a total of 12,114 confirmed positive cases and 212 deaths.
Social activities allowed in Hong Kong during COVID-19
These are the social activities allowed in the territory.
- Cinemas, beauty parlors, fitness centers, sports premises, nightclubs and karaoke places have reopened under the “vaccine bubble” regulation.
Requirements to carry out social activities
Face masks are mandatory on public transport carriers, in an MTR paid area, and indoor and outdoor public places.
Check the Hong Kong government’s website for additional information.
Last but not least – Be aware of very strict enforcement of the rules!
- Violating the quarantine requirement is considered a criminal offense. Offenders can face imprisonment and a fine.
- Not wearing a mask where people are supposed to, will make them subject to an HKD 5,000 fine.
Hong Kong Reopening Tourism: Updates Archives
June 28 – Hong Kong to open a travel corridor with mainland China in July
Hong Kong and China’s authorities might resume flights for business people starting with the launch of a travel bubble with Guangdong (China), in July.
China, however, has expressed concerns about Hong Kong’s pandemic management abilities to keep the territory with “zero local infections” which is China’s main requirement.
According to top respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan (China), the travel corridor might be open in July at a limited capacity “if conditions are met”.
Zhong also said Hong Kong has managed to prevent the spread of the new Delta variant thanks to their testing and tracking capacity. This means that the reopening date might be about to be announced. (Source).
June 14 – Hong Kong to extend travel restrictions through at least June 23
Hong Kong has extended its international travel ban and other domestic restrictions through June 23 due to a mild surge in coronavirus cases.
The ban on most non-resident international tourists will remain in place. Exceptions are possible for vaccinated senior executives of 500 pre-approved global companies if they meet some specific criteria. These travelers must take COVID-19 tests and adhere to approved itineraries.
On the other hand, visitors from Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China can visit Hong Kong if they have not visited other places over the last 21 days. Those must agree to spend 14 days at a hotel quarantine facility before being granted entry.
Source: TimeOut
June 1 – Hong Kong to drop quarantine restrictions for vaccinated business executives from June 1
Everybody knows Hong Kong has one of the strictest quarantine policies in the world, -only if- you are not “rich and powerful” as thousands of very upset Hongkongners are saying now following the latest government announcement.
Last Friday, the country announced that vaccinated senior bankers won’t be required to quarantine upon arrival and right after that, it extended this generous invitation to vaccinated directors and senior executives of the 500 biggest companies in the world.
Starting today, companies can ask for permission for their executives to visit and leave the country without quarantine restrictions, said Hong Kong’s Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau in a statement today.
(Source: Bloomberg)
August 1 – Hong Kong is keen to restart international travel, said Financial Secretary
Hong Kong is willing to restart international travel with mainland China and the rest of the world, said Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po.
The secretary also said that the reopening must be on a very cautious basis but did not give any official reopening date.
For now, the government has postponed its plan to bring back double-vaccinated workers from high-risk countries fearing the initiative could risk its so-called travel bubble, which has not started, with mainland China.
The government has not provided any details about the starting of its bubble either.
Source: South China Morning Post
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