The Chinese Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, is still battling the impact of the COVID-19 wave that hit it hard since last year and as a response, has set up certain restrictions to halt the further spread of the virus.
When will Hong Kong open its borders?
Hong Kong is currently open to tourists who have been in Mainland China, Taiwan or Macao for 14 days or more. Tourism from other countries remains banned.
Hong Kong Travel Restrictions
- The British National (Overseas) passport is no longer recognised as a valid travel document or proof of identity. All passengers arriving in Hong Kong will be required to undergo a medical test for COVID-19 prior to clearing immigration and baggage collection.
The test, which involves providing a combined nasal and throat swab sample, will be conducted by medical professionals at the Department of Health Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Midfield Concourse. Passengers will receive directions and assistance after disembarking the aircraft. All passengers will be required to wait for their test results.
- All inbound travellers are also required to submit a health declaration form online. After submitting the online form, the system will generate a QR code to be presented to the border control point staff upon entering Hong Kong.
- Any passenger who has been in Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, The Philippines or South Africa for more than two hours in the past 21 days will not be permitted to enter Hong Kong.
With immediate effect, passengers need to follow COVID‑19 testing requirements as per the below groups based on the level of risk:
Group A1 specified places
- Brazil
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- the Philippines
- South Africa
Group A2 specified places
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
Group B specified places
- Bangladesh
- Belgium
- Canada
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- France
- Germany
- Indonesia
- Kazakhstan
- Romania
- Russia
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States of America
Group C specified places
All countries except China which are not Group A1, Group A2, Group B or Group D specified places.
Group D specified places
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Groups A1, A2, and B must present proof of a nucleic acid test for COVID‑19 conducted within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft with a negative result.
- Groups A1, A2, B, and C must present confirmation in English or Chinese of room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong for not less than 21 nights starting on the day of arrival in Hong Kong.
However, Group D must present confirmation of room reservation for 14 nights in a designated quarantine hotel starting on the day of arrival.
Hong Kong Quarantine Rules
- A confirmed booking in English or Chinese of not less than 21 nights (or 14 nights for Group D) at hotels in Hong Kong is mandatory for all passengers (except diplomats) arriving from Group A1, A2, B and C countries. It is mandatory that the booking is with one of the government designated hotels.
- Hong Kong residents (aged 18 or above) who have not stayed in places other than Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland or Macao in the past 14 days, may use the online booking system ( https://www.quotabooking.gov.hk/cbt_booking/index_hk.jsp) to apply for the Return2HK Scheme.
- Hong Kong residents who have reserved a Return2HK quota will be exempted from the 14-day compulsory quarantine requirement when returning to Hong Kong from the Chinese mainland, provided they hold the following documents:
- A valid Hong Kong Identity Card or another identification document (s) indicating proof of Hong Kong residence.
- The confirmation of a successful booking of the Return2HK scheme (i.e. an electronic copy or a printout of the booking confirmation page).
- The original copy of a proof of negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test result (the sample must be taken within 3 days before the scheduled date of arrival in Hong Kong), together with the screenshot to prove that the testing organisation concerned is a recognised one and included in the list on the WeChat Mini Program on nucleic acid testing organisation enquiry function.
- The green QR code of Return2HK that has been obtained after completing and submitting the electronic health declaration form of the Hong Kong Department of Health
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