Date: 30 April 2022
Hong Kong Entry Restrictions/Requirements:
Fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents and non-Hong Kong residents (subject to immigration policy) will be allowed to enter Hong Kong.
- Fully vaccinated means the suggested dosage has been administered in accordance with the “List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognized for Specified Purposes” and relevant guidelines of a COVID-19 vaccination course at least 14 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong.
- The 14th day after a person has completed a COVID-19 vaccination course is counted by taking the next day after the person received all the recommended dose(s) of COVID-19 vaccine as the 1st day. For example, a person who received the last recommended dose of COVID-19 vaccine on 10 May 2022, he/she can be considered “fully vaccinated” starting on 24 May.
- The following persons will be considered as fully vaccinated -
- Recovered persons who have recovered from previous COVID-19 infection, they will be required to receive one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong in order to be considered as fully vaccinated.
- Persons aged 12 to 17 who have received one dose of Comirnaty vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong are deemed to have complied with the requirements of completing the COVID-19 vaccination course under boarding and quarantine requirements.
- The following categories of persons are exceptionally allowed to board (despite not regarded as fully vaccinated) -
- those who are unfit for vaccination due to health reasons with relevant proof issued by a medical practitioner; or
- those who have received one dose of recognized COVID-19 vaccine and hold a recognized vaccination record but certified by a medical practitioner that they were unfit to receive the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine because of health reasons after receiving the first dose of vaccine; or
- children aged 11 or below accompanied for boarding and compulsory quarantine by relevant persons who comply with the boarding requirements.
If the limit of stay in Hong Kong that could be granted to a non-Hong Kong resident with the existing immigration policy is shorter than the length of the compulsory quarantine period applicable, he/she continue to be denied entry into Hong Kong.
Boarding requirements
| Hong Kong residents and non-Hong Kong residents |
|---|
1. Recognized vaccination record
2. Negative result proof of a PCR-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 within 48 hours
(including documentary proofs that the lab is ISO 15189 accredited or government recognized)
3. Confirmation of room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel |
All inbound travelers are required to submit health declaration form. Currently paper health declaration form is not applicable to travelers arriving at Hong Kong via Hong Kong International Airport. Travelers can submit the form online. After submitting the online form, the system will generate a QR code.
Recognized vaccination record:
A vaccination record in English or Chinese issued by Hong Kong, or an authority or recognized institution of a place on the “List of Places of Issuance of Recognized Vaccination Records”, bearing the name of the relevant vaccinated traveler matching in his/her valid travel document to show that:
- the relevant traveler has received dose(s) of COVID-19 vaccine and the date on which the last dose was administered; and
- the name of the vaccine administered or the name of the marketing authorization holder or manufacture of the vaccine.
If the vaccination record is not in English or Chinese or does not contain all of the above information, a written confirmation in English or Chinese issued by the healthcare institution or a relevant authority of the government of the place where the vaccine was administered, bearing the name of the relevant vaccinated traveler matching in his/her valid travel document and setting out all of the above information should be presented together with the vaccination record.
Negative result proof of a PCR-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 within 48 hours (including documentary proofs that the lab is ISO 15189 accredited or government recognized)
A test report in English or Chinese issued by a laboratory or healthcare institution bearing the name of the relevant traveler matching in his/her valid travel document to show that:
- the sample was taken from the relevant traveler within 48 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the flight from Addis Ababa/Bangkok to Hong Kong; and
- the test conducted on the sample is a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19; and
- the relevant traveler was tested negative for COVID-19.
If the report is not in English or Chinese or does not contain all of the above information, a written confirmation in English or Chinese issued by the laboratory or healthcare institution bearing the name of the relevant vaccinated traveler matching in his/her valid travel document and setting out all of the above information should be presented together with the test report.
The format of the test report may differ among different laboratories.
- The following are in general acceptable as alternative wordings for “sample collection time”:
- Date/Time of Sample Collection
- Collection Date/Time
- Test Date
- Date of Test
- Sample Taken
- Collected on
- Examination Date
- The following are NOT accepted as “sample collection time”:
- Report Date
- Printed on
- Result Date/Time
Some test report only states the date of sample collection without the time of collection. While such report is still accepted, for prudent sake the time of sample collection will be assumed to be 00:00. Such report should not be accepted if it falls outside 48 hours before the scheduled time of departure from Addis Ababa/Bangkok to Hong Kong.
Separate documentary proof is required even if the test report from the laboratory or healthcare institution contains an ISO accreditation reference or indication of the government’s recognition. In addition, the documentary proof should be issued by a third party (i.e. the accreditation body of the government) NOT by the laboratory or healthcare institution itself.
Confirmation of room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel:
Confirmation of room reservation for 7 nights (if opting for early discharge from compulsory quarantine upon fulfilment of relevant conditions) or 14 nights (will not be arranged for early discharge from compulsory quarantine) starting on the day of arrival at Hong Kong in a designated quarantine hotel (DQH).
- If opting for early discharge from compulsory quarantine upon fulfilment of relevant conditions (must hold a 7-night DQH room reservation):
- Can be discharged earlier from quarantine and must leave the DQH if fully vaccinated and/or being accompanied children aged 11 or below, and the results of the PCR test conducted on the 5th day and the RATs conducted on the 6th and 7th days are all negative.
- If not opting for early discharge from compulsory quarantine (must hold a 14-night DQH room reservation):
- Can leave the DQH upon confirmation of negative results from the PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted on the 12th day and the RAT conducted on the 14th day.
- Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs) can book at either designated quarantine hotels (DQHs) or designated quarantine facilities (DQFs).
- Click here for the List of Designated Quarantine Hotels
- Click here for the List of Designated Quarantine Facilities
| Transit via Hong Kong International Airport |
|---|
| 1. Negative result proof of a PCR-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 within 48 hours (including documentary proofs that the lab is ISO 15189 accredited or government recognized) 2. Passengers are booked under the same air ticket or same booking 3. Passengers are checked through at the origin port with boarding passes and baggage tagged-through to the onward destination 4. Transit within 24 hours |
Transit service to destination in Mainland China remain unavailable.
For more information, please refer Government Thematic Website at
COVID-19 Thematic Website - Together, We Fight the Virus - Inbound Travel (coronavirus.gov.hk)
Date: 29 April 2022
Lifting the ban on non-HKRs entering Hong Kong:
- Non-Hong Kong residents (Non-HKRs) who have stayed in overseas places in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter Hong Kong from 01 May 2022 (Hong Kong Time), subject to the same boarding, quarantine and testing arrangements as Hong Kong residents (HKRs). The relevant persons are required to comply with all stringent inbound testing and quarantine requirements, including being fully-vaccinated, undergoing pre-departure nucleic acid test with a negative result and the booking of DQHs, be subject to "test-and-hold" upon arrival, and be transferred to DQHs by designated transport to undergo compulsory quarantine, during which they will be tested multiple times. For the details see the COVID-19 thematic website www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html.
- Other boarding, quarantine and testing arrangements applicable to overseas inbound passengers remain unchanged.
Details can be found at the Government's COVID-19 thematic website (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html).
Adding RAT to "test-and-hold" arrangement
- Rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be added to the "test-and-hold" arrangement at the airport.
For the details, please refer at www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202204/22/P2022042200621.htm and www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html .
Date: 15 March 2022
Vaccination records issued by Suriname will be accepted as recognized vaccination records for Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified places with effect at 0.00 am on 16 March 2022.
Suriname is currently a Group A specified place. From 0.00am on 16 March 2022, Hong Kong residents who hold a vaccination record issued by Suriname's relevant authorities in the prescribed format can board a flight for Hong Kong from Group A specified places. The vaccines administered for the relevant travelers have to be vaccines listed on the Government's List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognized for Specified Purposes.
Please refer to the full press release for details: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/14/P2022031400256.htm Please refer to the updated list of list of places of recognized vaccination records: https://gia.info.gov.hk/general/202203/14/P2022031400256_389115_1_1647228674562.pdf
Date: 12 March 2022
The temporary suspension of transfer/transit services at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for persons who have stayed in Group A (High Risk) specified places under will be extended until 2359 hours on 20 April 2022.
Date : March 07,2022
The Government of Hong Kong has announced on 07 March 2022 that it will accept the vaccination records issued by Benin and Jordan as recognized vaccination records for Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified places for boarding flights for Hong Kong. The relevant arrangements will take effect at 0.00am on 09 March 2022.
Please refer to the full press release for details::
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/07/P2022030700414.htm
Please refer the Government's thematic webpage for details of passengers travelling to Hong Kong: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html
Date: 11 February 2022
The place-specific flight suspension mechanism for Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended for 14 days to 04 March 2022.
The Government of Hong Kong will implement the place-specific flight suspension mechanism for Nepal from 0.00am on 12 February 2022 (Hong Kong time) to 04 March 2022 to prohibit all passenger flights from Nepal from landing in Hong Kong, and restrict persons who have stayed in this place for more than two hours within 14 days from boarding passenger flights for Hong Kong.
Please refer to the full press release for details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202202/11/P2022021100536.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 09 February 2022
The temporary suspension of transfer/transit service at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for the persons who have stayed in Group A (High Risk) specified places will be extended for one month until 2359 hours on 15 March 2022.
Date: 28 January 2022
Effective from 05 February 2022, the compulsory quarantine period for inbound travelers from overseas places will be adjusted to 14 days in designated quarantine hotels (DQHs), to be followed by a seven-day self-monitoring period. Meanwhile, the place-specific flight suspension mechanism for Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended for 14 days to February 18.
Please refer to the press release for details: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/27/P2022012700853.htm
A summary of the major changes are highlighted as follows:
1. All overseas places will be specified as Group A specified places (with effect from 05 February 2022)
2. Adjustment of compulsory quarantine period for travellers from Group A specified places (with effect from 05 February 2022)
·The quarantine arrangements for all Group A specified places will be aligned and the enhanced surveillance arrangement will no longer be implemented
· Persons from Group A places will have to undergo compulsory quarantine in a Designated Quarantine Hotel (DQH) for 14 days upon returning to Hong Kong, with six tests to be conducted during quarantine, to be followed by self-monitoring for seven days, and compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th days of arrival at Hong Kong, where the test to be taken on the 19th day must be conducted in a community testing center
3. Boarding requirements for travellers from Group A specified places (with effect from 05 February 2022)
· Hong Kong residents who have stayed in a Group A specified place in the previous 14 days can only board a flight for Hong Kong if they have been fully vaccinated and hold a recognised vaccination record
· Non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified places will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong
· Other existing boarding requirements will remain unchanged, including presenting at boarding a negative result proof of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 with specimen collected within 48 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft, and confirmation of room reservation in a DQH for the applicable compulsory quarantine period
· Persons who:
- are unfit for vaccination due to health reasons with relevant proof from a medical practitioner; or
- have received one dose of recognised COVID-19 vaccine and hold a recognised vaccination record, if they were certified by a medical practitioner that they were unfit to receive the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine because of health reasons after receiving the first dose of vaccine, are exceptionally allowed to board for Hong Kong
·The above adjusted boarding, quarantine, and testing arrangements will also be applicable to foreign domestic helpers who undergo compulsory quarantine in designated quarantine facilities.
4. Extension of the place-specific flight suspension mechanism
·The place-specific flight suspension mechanism for Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended for 14 days to February 18
Date: 25 January 2022
Turks and Caicos Islands will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00 am on 25 January 2022 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travelers.
Please refer to the press release for details: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/22/P2022012200413.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 21 January 2022
- Papua New Guinea and Suriname will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 22 January 2022 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please find the relevant Government's press release for your reference:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/19/P2022011900524.htm
Date: 20 January 2022
- The Government of Hong Kong announced on 17 January 2022 that it has concluded discussions with the Government of Colombia to accept vaccination records issued by that place as recognised vaccination records for Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified places under the mechanism. The relevant arrangements will take effect at 0.00am on 19 January 2022.
- Colombia is currently a Group A specified place. From 0.00am on 19 January 2022, Hong Kong residents who hold a vaccination record issued by its relevant authorities in the prescribed format can board a flight for Hong Kong from Group A specified places.
Please refer the press release for more details: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/17/P2022011700506.htm
Please also refer to the updated 'List of Places of Issuance of Recognised Vaccination Records': https://gia.info.gov.hk/general/202201/17/P2022011700506_385663_1_1642417584471.pdf
Date: 17 January 2022.
- Bhutan will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on 19 January 2022 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please find the relevant Government's press release for your reference:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/16/P2022011600406.htm
- The place-specific flight suspension mechanism for Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended for 14 days to 04 February 2022. The Government will also specify Armenia, Bonaire, Guatemala and New Caledonia as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 17 January 2022 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the full press release for details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/14/P2022011400637.htm
Date: 13 January 2022
The passenger transfer/transit services via HKIA for persons who have stayed in Group A (High Risk) specified places in the last 21 days will be temporarily suspended with effect from 0000 hours on 16 January, 2022 till 2359 hours on 15 February, 2022.
Certain categories of persons are exempted from this measures on conditions, including those who are required to arrive at HKIA in order to perform specified tasks with prior agreement with the authority, but they must comply with the conditions issued by and other relevant requirements imposed by HKIA until the connecting departure flight is ready for boarding.
Requirements for passengers arriving from non-Group A specified places remain unchanged.
Date: 13 January 2022
Kyrgyzstan will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on January 16 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please find the relevant Government's press release for your reference:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/13/P2022011300434.htm
Date: 11 January 2022
Azerbaijan will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on 14 January 2022 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please find the relevant Government's press release for your reference:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/11/P2022011100450.htm
Date: 11 January 2022
Uzbekistan will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on January 13 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/10/P2022011000521.htm
Date: 08 January 2021
Grenada, Mauritania and Mayotte will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on 09 January 2022 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please find the Press Release for your reference:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/06/P2022010600560.htm
Date: 06 January 2021
With effect from 0.00am on January 8 (Hong Kong time), the Government of Hong Kong will invoke the Regulation (Cap. 599H) to implement the place-specific flight suspension mechanism for eight specified places, including Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
All passenger flights from these eight places will be prohibited from landing in Hong Kong. At the same time, persons who have stayed in these places for more than two hours on the scheduled day of departure or during the 21 days before that day (the 21-day Period), will be restricted from boarding passenger flights for Hong Kong.
Date: 06 January 2021
In view of the rapidly worsening global pandemic situation due to the Omicron variant, it will, from 0.00am on January 8, implement the place-specific flight suspension mechanism for Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The Government will also specify Cape Verde, Niger and South Sudan as Group A specified places to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please visit the following website for the full press release
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/05/P2022010500713.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 06 January 2021
Martinique will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on 07 January 2022 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please find the Press Release for your reference:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/04/P2022010400545.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 04 January 2021
Bulgaria will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on January 6, to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the government press release for more details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202201/03/P2022010300532.htm
Date: 30 December 2021
Hong Kong travel restriction update concerning Designated Quarantine Facility for Foreign Domestic Helpers.
1. Starting from 1 January 2022, Regala Skycity Hotel on Lantau Island will open as a Designated Quarantine Facility (DQF), providing a total of 1 138 rooms for quarantine of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) coming to work in Hong Kong. This is a new DQF in addition to Rambler Garden Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Shatin for FDHs' quarantine. The Hotel will start accept booking on 30 December 2021 (9:30am).
2. Starting from 1 January 2022, Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre (PBQC) will cease admitting FDHs for quarantine. Those FDHs who have reserved rooms and will check-in at PBQC on 1 January 2022 or after (rooms have been reserved up to 20 January 2022) will be arranged to check in at Regala Skycity Hotel direct upon arrival in Hong Kong. Therefore, there will be FDHs holding a confirmation email on PBQC booking with check-in dates falling within the period from 1 to 20 Jan 2022. These FDHs should be allowed to broad a flight to Hong Kong and will be sent to Regala Skycity Hotel for quarantine upon arrival.
3. The arrangement for FDHs’ quarantine at DQFs is applicable to FDHs who have been fully vaccinated in regions where Hong Kong has reached recognition agreement arrangement on their vaccination records (the currently applicable regions include Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Thailand, etc. For the full list of applicable regions, please visit: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/places_of_issuance_recognised_vaccination_records.pdf. As for FDHs who have received full vaccination in Hong Kong, they may undergo compulsory quarantine at Designated Quarantine Hotels https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/designated-hotel.html or a DQF.
4. The press release can be accessed via the following link and the scanned copy is attached for easy reference.
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/29/P2021122900577.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 27 December 2021
Albania, Jamaica and North Macedonia will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 29 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the government press release for more details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/26/P2021122600494.htm0
Date: 27 December 2021
Réunion and Serbia will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 27 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the government press release for more details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/24/P2021122400627.htm
Date: 23 December 2021
Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Georgia and Panama will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 24 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/21/P2021122100558.htm
Date: 21 December 2021
Government to tighten all measures to prevent Omicron cases into community (with effect from 21 December 2021:
Please refer to the official government press release for more details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/20/P2021122000964.htm?fontSize=1
1. Shortening lead time for pre-departure nucleic acid test specimen collection before boarding from 72 hours to 48 hours (with effect from 0.00am 24 December 2021)
- The time limit for specimen collection for pre-departure polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid (PCR) test will be shortened to 48 hours (originally 72 hours) for all persons boarding for a flight for Hong Kong. All passengers who board a flight for Hong Kong (including passengers transferring or transiting in Hong Kong) on or after 0.00am on December 24 (Hong Kong time) should present at boarding a negative result proof of a PCR test for COVID-19 with specimen collected within 48 hours before the scheduled time of departure.
2. Strengthening Surveillance of Group A Places (with effect from 0.00am 21 December 2021). Persons from Group A places with enhanced surveillance (on list https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_specified_places_for_enhanced_measures_Omicron.pdf) to:
- Undergo compulsory quarantine at quarantine center (QC) for the first four days. The remaining 17 days (from Day-5) of compulsory quarantine will be at designated quarantine hotel (DQH).
- There is a seven-day transitional period between December 21 and December 27. If the relevant inbound traveller presents at boarding confirmation of room reservation at a DQH for no less than 14 nights from eighth day of arrival at Hong Kong (i.e. the existing requirement), he/she can be allowed to board to Hong Kong.
- From December 28, inbound travellers will have to present confirmation of room reservation at a DQH for no less than 17 nights starting from fifth day of arrival at Hong Kong.
Additionally:
- United Kingdom will be put under Group A - Specified Places For Enhanced Quarantine & Surveillance Measures on Omicron Variant (with effect from 0.00am 21 December 2021)
- Peru will be specified as Group A specified place (with effect from 0.00am 23 December 2021)
The 'List of specified places for enhanced measures (Omicron variant)' linked here and will be updated periodically:
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_specified_places_for_enhanced_measures_Omicron.pdf
3. Government updates list of places of recognized vaccination records (with effect from 0.00am 22 December 2021)
- The Government announced on 20 December 2021 that it will accept vaccination records issued by Nigeria, Cape Verde, and Lebanon for boarding flights for Hong Kong by Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified places with effect from 0.00am on 22 December 2021.
For more on the vaccination record requirement and other details, please refer to the official press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/20/P2021122000756.htm
List of Places of Issuance of Recognized Vaccination Records: Annex attached
Date: 20 December 2021
· Montenegro and Poland will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 20 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the full press release for more details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/17/P2021121700580.htm
· Egypt, Morocco, New Zealand and Qatar will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 21 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the full press release for more details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/18/P2021121800575.htm?fontSize=1
· Palestine and Ukraine will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 22 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/19/P2021121900688.htm
Date: 17 December 2021
Kenya, Lithuania and Rwanda will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 19 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travelers.
Please refer to the full press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/16/P2021121600523.htm
Date: 15 December 2021
Bahrain, Bermuda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gibraltar, Hungary, Oman and the Slovak Republic will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 17 December 2021.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/14/P2021121400590.htm
Date: 14 December 2021
The Government of Hong Kong has concluded with the Governments of Laos, Mexico, Mongolia, Oman and Qatar to accept vaccination records issued by the places as recognised vaccination records. The relevant arrangements will enable Hong Kong residents who hold vaccination records issued by the relevant authorities of these places in the prescribed format to board a flight for Hong Kong from Group A specified places from 0.00am on 15 December 2021.
Meanwhile, the Government announced earlier that it accepts vaccination records recognised under the EU Digital COVID Certificate mechanism as recognised vaccination records required for the purpose of boarding flights for Hong Kong from high-risk Group A specified places. As the European Union (EU) has recently announced the recognition of the vaccination records issued by El Salvador as being equivalent to vaccination records issued by EU member states under the mechanism, the Government will therefore also accept the vaccination records issued by El Salvador as recognised vaccination records from 0.00am on 15 December 2021.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/13/P2021121300790.htm
Date: 13 December 2021
In view of the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic , Effective 14 December 2021 : Cyprus, Jordan and Lebanon will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 14 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/11/P2021121100752.htm
And effective 15 December 2021 Mauritius and Sierra Leone will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 15 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/12/P2021121200510.htm
Note on Group A specified places : These are places which have detected Omicron cases, and Non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed at the above places within 21 days will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents can only board a flight for Hong Kong if they have been fully vaccinated and hold a recognized vaccination record. They will have to undergo compulsory quarantine in a designated quarantine hotel for 21 days upon returning to Hong Kong, with six tests to be conducted during quarantine, followed by compulsory testing in a community testing center on the 26th day of arrival at Hong Kong.
Date: 11 December 2021
In view of the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Cuba, Kuwait and Liechtenstein will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 13 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travelers.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/10/P2021121000796.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 10 December 2021
Estonia and Uganda will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00 am on 12 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travelers.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/09/P2021120900553.htm
Date: 08 December 2021
Due to the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Argentina, Croatia, Fiji and Latvia will be specified as Group A specified places from 0.00am on 10 December 2021 to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/07/P2021120700680.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 07 December 2021
Please note that, with effect from 8 Dec 2021, for relevant transit travellers who boarded a specified aircraft and has stayed in any Group A specified place during the 21-day period, or in any Group B specified place, Taiwan, or any Group C specified place during the 14-day period, the travellers are required to provide documentary proof of test conducted, as set out at Annex 1 in the G.N. 863 of 2021.
Please find the updated Cap 599H Gazette Notice (G.N. 863 of 2021) for your reference:
Chi: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125328e/cgn202125328863.pdf
Eng: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125328e/egn202125328863.pdf
Date: 07 December 2021
Hong Kong will accept the vaccination records issued by Georgia, Moldova, Serbia and Togo as recognised vaccination records for Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified places for boarding flights for Hong Kong. The relevant arrangements will take effect at 0.00am on 08 December 2021.
Please refer to the following website for the full press release and "List of Places of Issuance of Recognised Vaccination Records" :
- Press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/06/P2021120600498.htm?fontSize=1
- List of Places of Issuance of Recognised Vaccination Records (with effect from December 8): https://gia.info.gov.hk/general/202112/06/P2021120600498_382649_1_1638779220119.pdf
Date: 05 December 2021
In view of the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Mexico will be specified as a Group A specified place from 0.00am on December 7. Non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed there within 21 days will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong. Hong Kong residents can only board a flight for Hong Kong if they have been fully vaccinated and hold a recognized vaccination record. They will have to undergo compulsory quarantine in a designated quarantine hotel for 21 days upon return to Hong Kong, with six tests to be conducted during quarantine, followed by compulsory testing in a community testing center on the 26th day of arrival at Hong Kong.
to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travelers.
for detail click here: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/04/P2021120400685.htm
Date: 03 December 2021
In view of the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, additional places will be added as Group A designated areas. The government of Hong Kong will also require all transit passengers from overseas places and Taiwan to present negative result proof of nucleic acid test when boarding a flight for Hong Kong from 0.00am on 08 December 2021.
For more details, please refer to the press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202112/02/P2021120200765.htm
Summary of places added to Group A designated places:
With effect from 00:00am, 3 December 2021
Japan
Portugal
Sweden
With effect from 00:00am, 5 December 2021
Finland
Ghana
Korea
Norway
Saudi Arabia
Please find the updated G.N. for your reference and dissemination.
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125327e/egn202125327860.pdf (Eng)
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125327e/cgn202125327860.pdf (Chi)
Date: 01 December 2021
Refer the following Hong Kong travel restriction update (updated G.N.) with effect from 01 December 2021:
GN 854 (supersedes GN748)
Chi: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125324e/cgn202125324854.pdf
Eng: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125324e/egn202125324854.pdf
GN 855 (supersedes GN852)
Chi: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125324e/cgn202125324855.pdf
Eng: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125324e/egn202125324855.pdf
Additionally, the Government announced earlier that (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202111/30/P2021113000847.htm), inbound travellers from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, which had been specified as Group A specified places, are subject to more stringent quarantine and testing requirements (i.e. Group A places with enhanced surveillance).
In order to facilitate the stringent quarantine arrangement above, from 0.00am on December 1, the documentary requirements for inbound travellers from Group A places with enhanced surveillance to board a flight for Hong Kong will be updated as follows:
(a) recognised vaccination record;
(b) negative result proof of a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid (PCR) test for COVID-19 with specimen collected within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft; and
(c) confirmation of room reservation at a DQH for no less than 14 nights starting from the 8th day of arrival at Hong Kong.
Date: 30 November 2021
The government of Hong Kong has announced on 29 November 2021 that in response to latest development of the epidemic, additional places will be added as Group A designated areas.
Summary of places added to Group A designated places:
1. With effect from 00:00am, 30 November 2021
Angola
Ethiopia
Nigeria
Zambia
2. With effect from 00:00am, 2 December 2021
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Germany
Israel
Italy
For more details, please refer the press release at: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202111/29/P2021112900751.htm
Date: 26 November 2021
The Government of Hong Kong announced today (November 26) that the following countries are specified as Group A (specified place from 0.00 am on November 27) in view of the latest developments of the COVID-19 epidemic situation.
Date: 11 November 2021
The Government of Hong Kong has announced that New Zealand will be specified as a medium-risk Group B specified place in view of the latest developments of the COVID-19 epidemic situation there. The adjustment will take effect from 0.00am on 17 November 2021.
For details, please refer to the press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202111/10/P2021111000307.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 09 November 2021
The Government of Hong Kong has announced new measures concerning arrangement of exemption from compulsory quarantine, which will be effective on 12/11/2021. For details, please refer to the following press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202111/01/P2021110100531.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 29 October 2021
1. The latest Gazette Notice of Cap.599H, with effect on 29 Oct 2021: Main updates for vaccination requirements and Group A boarding requirements are highlighted below
GN 746 of 2021 (supersedes GN 527 of 2021) https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125290e/egn202125290746.pdf
Note (2)
GN 747 of 2021(supersedes GN 528 of 2021) https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125290e/egn202125290747.pdf
Note (2)
GN 748 of 2021(supersedes GN 699 of 2021) https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125290e/egn202125290748.pdf
(A)(III)(1) Note (3)
GN 749 of 2021(supersedes GN 749 of 2021) https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125290e/egn202125290749.pdf
Note (1) (2) (3)
2. From October 29, inbound travellers aged 12 to 17 who have received one dose of Comirnaty vaccine at least 14 days ago are deemed to have complied with the requirements of completing the COVID-19 vaccination course under boarding and quarantine requirements.
Further, for Hong Kong residents who have received one dose of recognised COVID-19 vaccine and hold a recognised vaccination record, they are exceptionally allowed to board for Hong Kong from Group A specified places if they were certified by a medical practitioner that they were unfit to receive the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine because of health reasons after receiving the first dose of vaccine.
For details, please refer to the following website for the full press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202110/26/P2021102600817.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 13 October 2021
Updated list of places of recognized vaccination records with effect from 13 October 2021.
Date: 06 October 2021
From 0.00am on 06 October 2021, Hong Kong residents who hold vaccination records issued by the relevant authority of South Africa in the prescribed format can board a flight for Hong Kong from Group A specified places. The vaccines administered for the relevant travellers have to be vaccines listed on the Government's List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes.
Please find the relevant press release and an updated "List of Places of Issuance of Recognised Vaccination Records".
- Press release: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202110/04/P2021100400607.htm
- List of Places of Issuance of Recognised Vaccination Records (with effect from 6 October 2021): https://gia.info.gov.hk/general/202110/04/P2021100400607_377830_1_1633343353380.pdf
Date: 06 October 2021
The latest Gazette Notice of Cap.599H, which is effective since 29 Sep 2021:
G.N. (E.) 699 of 2021 (supersedes G.N. (E.) 646 of 2021):
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125265e/egn202125265699.pdf(eng)
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125265e/cgn202125265699.pdf (chi)
G.N. (E.) 700 of 2021 (supersedes G.N. (E.) 647 of 2021):
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125265e/egn202125265700.pdf(eng)
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125265e/cgn202125265700.pdf (chi)
The update is that the relevant Group A traveller who holds a vaccination record issued by a relevant authority of the Government of the places listed on the Labour Department's foreign domestic helpers portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk) and who intends to enter Hong Kong for employment as a foreign domestic helper, the relevant Group A foreign domestic helper traveller will be required to provide the documentary proof specified in the relevant G.N.
Date: 29 September 2021
Effective from 0.00am on 29 September 2021, the List of Places of Issuance of Recognised Vaccination Records will include Brazil and Russia.
Please find more details in the press release here:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202109/27/P2021092700724.htm
Date: 14 September 2021
With effect from 0.00am on 15 September 2021, vaccination records issued by Bangladesh, Nepal, United Arab Emirates and Singapore will be accepted as recognized vaccination records for Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified places.
Although Singapore is currently not a Group A specified place, the relevant arrangements will also enable Hong Kong residents who hold vaccination records issued by relevant authorities in prescribed format to board a flight to Hong Kong from Group A specified places.
Refer from the following links the relevant press release and an updated "List of Places of Issuance of Recognized Vaccination Records".
Date: 08 September 2021
Hong Kong travel restriction update concerning Foreign Domestic Helpers with Full Vaccination in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines or Thailand to Board Flights for Hong Kong.
The new arrangement is in effect effective from 8 September 2021. Relevant updated G.N. are available:
G.N. 631
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125241e/cgn202125241631.pdf (chi)
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125241e/egn202125241631.pdf (eng)
G.N. 632
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125241e/cgn202125241632.pdf (chi)
https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125241e/egn202125241632.pdf (eng)
Date: 21 August 2021
The Government of Hong Kong has announced on August 19 that regarding the boarding, quarantine and testing requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from overseas places and Taiwan to be effective on 20 August 2021, the requirements on vaccination records for persons arriving at Hong Kong will be slightly adjusted.
For the details, please refer the latest press release at: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202108/19/P2021081900939.htm
Date: 17 August 2021
Bangladesh, Cambodia, France, Greece, Iran, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America will be listed as a Group A specified place and Australia as a Group B specified place with effect from 00:00am 20 August 2021
(https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202108/16/P2021081600483.htm).
Effective from 00:00am on 20 August 2021, the list of specified places include:
(I) the following places outside Hong Kong as Group A specified place, Group B specified place, Group C specified place:-
Group A specified place | Group B specified place | Group C specified place |
(1) Brazil
(2) India
(3) Indonesia
(4) Nepal
(5) Pakistan
(6) the Philippines
(7) South Africa
(8) United Kingdom
(9) Ireland
(10) Russia
(11) Bangladesh
(12) Cambodia
(13) France
(14) Greece
(15) Iran
(16) Malaysia
(17) the Netherlands
(18) Spain
(19) Sri Lanka
(20) Switzerland
(21) Tanzania
(22) Thailand
(23) Turkey
(24) the United Arab Emirates
(25) the United States of America | All countries (except China)
that are not Group A or
Group C specified places;
(Australia upgraded from Group C to Group B) | (1) New Zealand |
(II) Place outside Hong Kong as a specified place
(1) The Mainland (except Guangdong Province);
(2) Macao; and
(3) Taiwan.
Under Group A specified places, only Hong Kong Residents who are fully vaccinated and hold "recognised vaccination record" (which is more stringent requirement), along with other boarding requirements, would be allowed to board a specified aircraft to Hong Kong.
A recognised vaccination record is a vaccination record issued by a healthcare institution or a relevant authority of the Government of Hong Kong, the Mainland, or a country where its national regulatory authority is designated by the World Health Organization as a stringent regulatory authority ( SRA countries https://www.who.int/initiatives/who-listed-authority-reg-authorities/SRAs ), bearing the name of the relevant vaccinated traveller matching that in his/her valid travel document to show in Chinese or English that:
(i) the relevant traveller has received dose(s) of COVID-19 vaccine and the date on which the last dose was administered; and
(ii) the name of the vaccine administered.
The vaccine should be included in the list of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognized for Specified Purposes (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/list_of_recognised_covid19_vaccines.pdf).
For example, a HKR traveller having stayed in a Group A specified place for more than 2 hours on the day of the scheduled day of departure or during the 21 days before that day, presenting a vaccination record NOT issued by any healthcare institution or a relevant authority of the Government of Hong Kong/ Mainland/ SRA countries ; If this traveller was allowed to board the flight to Hong Kong, it would be considered as non-compliant .
For more details regarding boarding and quarantine requirements for inbound travellers, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html).
Date: 10 August 2021
The Government of Hong Kong has updated its travel/entry restrictions. For the details, please refer the Government’s thematic website at: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html
Date: 14 July 2021
Russia will be listed as a Group A2 specified place with effect from 00:00am 16 July 2021 (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202107/12/P2021071200391.htm). The requirements and exemption conditions applicable will be applied respectively to quarantine and exempted persons, including air crew members starting from the effective day.
For details, please refer to the latest gazette notice under Cap. 599H (w.e.f. 16/07/2021):
ENG: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125186e/egn202125186431.pdf
CHI: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125186e/cgn202125186431.pdf
In summary, with effect from 0:00am on 16th July 2021, the list of specified places include:
(I) the following places outside Hong Kong as Group A1 specified places, Group A2 specified places, Group B specified places, Group C specified places and Group D specified places:-
Group A1 specified places | Group A2 specified places | Group B specified places | Group C specified places | Group D specified places |
(1) Brazil
(2) India
(3) Indonesia
(4) Nepal
(5) Pakistan
(6) the Philippines
(7) South Africa
(8) United Kingdom | (1) Ireland
(2) Russia | (1) Argentina
(2) Bangladesh
(3) Belgium
(4) Canada
(5) Cambodia
(6) Colombia
(7) Ecuador
(8) Egypt
(9) Ethiopia
(10) France
(11) Germany
(12) Italy
(13) Japan
(14) Kazakhstan
(15) Kenya
(16) Korea
(17) Malaysia
(18) the Netherlands
(19) Romania
(20) Switzerland
(21) Singapore
(22) Thailand
(23) Turkey
(24) Ukraine
(25) United Arab Emirates
(26) United States of America
(27) Vietnam | All countries except China and those specified as Group A1 specified places, Group A2 specified places, Group B specified places or Group D specified places | (1) Australia
(2) New Zealand |
(II) Place outside Hong Kong as a specified place: Taiwan.
For more details regarding boarding and quarantine requirements for inbound travellers, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html.
Date: 16 June 2021
Hong Kong will further tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers. In gist, Colombia and Korea will be listed as Group B specified places, with effect from 0000hrs 18th June 2021. And Indonesia will be listed as Group A2 specified places, with effect from 0000hrs 21 June 2021 The requirements and exemption conditions applicable will be applied respectively to quarantine and exempted persons, including air crew members starting from the effective day.
For more details, please refer to the following links:
The press release (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202106/11/P2021061100745.htm) and (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202106/15/P2021061500294.htm?fontSize=1)
The Gazette Notice (362 of 2021: https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/202125155e/egn202125155362.pdf).
For more details regarding Cap.599H, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html).
Date: 01 June 2021
The Government of Hong Kong has issued a revised gazette notice under CAP.599H to update COVID-19 related travel restrictions.
For more details, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.
For more details, please refer to the press release https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/31/P2021053101004.htm?fontSize=1
Date: 18 May 2021
Specified conditions imposed on inbound travelers who have visited specified places (Cap.599H)
For detail information concerning boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from different places outside China under the above Regulation, please refer the website: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html
Date: 15 May 2021
Revised Gazette Notice under Cap 599H and Revised exemption conditions (Taiwan to be added as a specified place with effect from 16 May 2021). Please see the below attachment.
other exempted persons summary table.
Exempted conditions applicable to exempted persons other than air crew and sea crew.
Date: 11 May 2021
Effective 12 May 2021 0000 hours, Hong Kong boarding and quatrain requirements for fully Vaccinated Persons. For details https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/concise_guide_vaccinated_travellers_ENG.pdf
Date: 06 May 2021
The Government of Hong Kong has announced an adjusted grouping of boarding and compulsory quarantine arrangements under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H), to be effective from 00:00 7th May 2021.
Under the adjusted grouping, places outside China will be categorised into the extremely high-risk Group A1 specified places (equivalent to the existing Group A specified places), the newly added very high-risk Group A2 specified places, as well as the existing high-risk Group B specified places, the medium-risk Group C specified places, and the low-risk Group D specified places.
The very high-risk Group A2 specified places will include Ireland and the United Kingdom. Subject to no significant change to epidemic situation locally and in relevant overseas places, the ban on boarding for Hong Kong for persons who have stayed in Ireland and the United Kingdom will be lifted on May 7, to allow flights to resume from these places and for Hong Kong residents there to board for flights to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, there will be continued suspension of passenger flights from India, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines, and continued restriction on persons who have stayed in India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Brazil, and South Africa from boarding flights for Hong Kong from any place.
In summary, with effect from 0.00am on May 7, 2021, the list of specified places includes:
| Group A1 specified places | Group A2 specified places | Group B specified places | Group C specified places | Group D specified places |
|---|
(1) Brazil (2) India (3) Nepal (4) Pakistan (5)the Philippines (6) South Africa | (1) Ireland (2) United Kingdom | (1) Bangladesh (2) Belgium (3) Canada (4) Ecuador (5) Egypt (6) Ethiopia (7) France (8) Germany (9) Indonesia (11) Kazakhstan (15) Romania (16) Russia (17) Switzerland (18) Turkey (19) Ukraine (20) United Arab Emirates (21) United States of America | All countries except China which are not Group A1, Group A2, Group B or Group D specified places. | (1) Australia (2)NewZealand (3) Singapore |
Please find the relevant Government PR (https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202105/04/P2021050400899.htm?fontSize=1) for more information and refer to the Annex (https://gia.info.gov.hk/general/202105/04/P2021050400899_366536_1_1620138585646.pdf) for a summary on boarding and quarantine requirements.
Please refer to the Government's thematic webpage for Cap. 599H details: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.
Date: 01 May 2021
Please note that the HKSAR Government has published a revised Gazette Notice (GN) under Cap.599H, to extend the measure to prohibit all passenger flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines from landing in Hong Kong, and starting from 00:00 1st May 2021, prohibit all passenger flights from Nepal landing in Hong Kong.
Furthermore, effective from 00:00 1st May 2021, Nepal will also be specified as Group A(extremely high-risk) specified place, restricting relevant travelers from boarding for Hong Kong if they have stayed in Nepal for more than two hours during the period on the day of boarding and 21 days before that day.
For more details regarding Cap.599H, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage. (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html).
Please refer the following for updated Hong Kong travel restrictions.
1. A Revised Gazette Notice (GN) Under Cap.599H
Date: 19 April 2021
Please note that the HKSAR Government has published a revised Gazette Notice (GN) under Cap.599H, to prohibit all passenger flights from India, Pakistan, and The Philippines from landing in Hong Kong for 14 days; at the same time, these three places will be specified as Group A (extremely high-risk) specified places, to restrict relevant travellers from boarding for Hong Kong, if they have stayed in these places for more than two hours during the period on the day of boarding and 21 days before that day, with effect from 00:00 20th April 2021.
For more details regarding Cap.599H, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage. (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html).
April 14, 2021
Please note that the Hong Kong SAR Government has published a revised Gazette Notice under Cap.599H, to add Egypt as listed Group B specified places, with effect from 20 April 2021.
For details, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage ( https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html .
April 08, 2021
Please note that the Hong Kong SAR Government has published a revised Gazette Notice under Cap.599H, to add Australia, New Zealand and Singapore as listed Group D specified places (Low-risk).
For details, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.
Date: 30 January 2021
According to the new GN (59 of 2021) https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20212522e/egn2021252259.pdf, Note one exempted group of persons are newly added (with effective from 28 January 2021) which will not be affected by the specified conditions under Cap.599H.
Current exempted group of persons:
1) a person who is in transit in Hong Kong;
2) a person exempted by the Chief Secretary for Administration from compulsory quarantine;
Newly added:
3) a person who is a Hong Kong resident, and who has commenced his or her journey in Hong Kong and been deemed as an inadmissible person by the authorities of the place of his or her destination.
If any relevant passenger on board meets the newly added criteria above (Item No.3), the concerned airline operator should inform the Department of Health by submitting a prior notice by email (mo_phd_ap@dh.gov.hk) before the specified flight arrives at Hong Kong.
Updates released by HKSAR Government:
- With effect from 31 January 2021, the Immigration Department will no longer accept the British National (Overseas) Passport "BN(O)" as a valid travel document for arrival and departure clearance in Hong Kong.
- If Hong Kong residents present a BN(O) Passport for immigration clearance, they will be required to present a valid travel document (e.g. HKSAR Passport, Hong Kong Identity card or HKSAR Re-entry Permit).
- If a passenger presents a BN(O) Passport for boarding purpose, the airline is requested to check the passenger's HKSAR Passport, Hong Kong Identity card or HKSAR Re-entry Permit and by doing so, the airline is deemed to have met its obligation under Section 40 of Immigration Ordinance, Cap.115. For a BN(O) Passport holder who does not possess any of the aforementioned valid travel documents, the airline should verify the passenger's status with Immigration Department prior to giving him/her permission to board the flight. Under the said provision, it is an offence for the owner of the aircraft and his agent to carry a passenger, who does not have any valid travel document, into Hong Kong.
January 20, 2021
With effect from 0.00 am on January 23, 2021, all persons who have stayed in Brazil or Ireland for more than two hours on the day of boarding or during the 21 days before that day will not be allowed to board for Hong Kong.
Date: 25 December 2020
Hong Kong travel restriction update:
1. All persons who have stayed in the United Kingdom or South Africa for more than two hours in the past 21 days will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong.
2. With effective from 0:00am 25,December2020, all travelers arriving in Hong Kong from countries outside China must stay in a designated quarantine hotel to undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 nights. For the list of designated hotels, please refer to https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/designated-hotel-list_en.pdf
Exemption applicable to air crew who need to commute to and from Mainland, Macao and Taiwan / foreign places for performance of necessary duties arriving from Hong Kong International Airport
For all crew who have visited the United Kingdom and South Africa during the 21-day prior to arrival in Hong Kong, they must subject to self-isolation at a designated hotel for 21 nights upon arrival.
Exemption conditions applicable to exempted persons other than air crew & sea crew arriving from Hong Kong International Airport
1. For those who have visited very high risk places specified under Cap.599H during the 21-day prior to arrival in Hong Kong:
a) Must possess a negative result of nucleic acid test done at an ISO15189-accredited laboratory or a laboratory recognized by the government where the laboratory is located with the specimen collected within 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of the flight to Hong Kong.
b) Must take a nucleic acid test at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport.
c) Subject to conditions 2 below, for government officials carrying out government duties, they must subject to self-isolation at an accommodation arranged by the respective organization for 21 days upon arrival. (Chief Executive, Director of the Chief Executive’s office and Principal Officials of the HKSAR, Consul General of the Consulate Generals and Head of Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong and the six ORBs are exempted. The rest of the officers may apply to CS for exemption from the 21-day self-isolation requirement on a case-by-case basis subject to full justifications.)
2. For exempted persons who have visited the United Kingdom and South Africa during the 21-day prior to arrival in Hong Kong, they must subject to self-isolation at a designated hotel for 21 nights upon arrival.
3. All exempted persons must take a specimen bottle distributed by DH and collect a Day-12 deep throat saliva sample specimen for nucleic acid testing.
For details about Cap.599H, please refer to https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html .
Date: 23 December 2020
Please note the following updates for Hong Kong:
· Canada is added as listed specified places starting from 25 December 2020.
Date: 15 December 2020
Note the following updates:
1. To add Ukraine as listed specified places starting from 17 December 2020.
2. With effect from 0:00am on 22 December 2020, all travelers arriving in Hong Kong from countries outside China must stay in a Designated Quarantine Hotel for undergoing 14-night quarantine. For the list of Designated Hotels, please refer to https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/designated-hotel-list_en.pdf.
As a traveler arriving in Hong Kong on 21 December may not be able to check-in hotels on the same day owing to flight delay or time required for having test result, these travelers are required to reserve hotel booking at a designated quarantine hotel, otherwise they will be refused to board the flight.
Date: 12 December 2020
With immediate effect, holders of USA diplomatic passports will require a visa to visit Hong Kong unless they are in direct transit and remain on the airside.
Date: 05 December 2020
Note the following updates:
Update for Cap.599H with effective from 07 December 2020:
- To add Romania as listed specified places.
- Hotels reservation requirement changed from 14 days to 14 nights. Example: the relevant traveller should have a hotel reservation for 15 Days 14 Nights. If a traveller arrives Hong Kong on 01 December 2020 (Day 1), his/her hotel reservation should start from 01 December 2020 until 15 December 2020.
Date: 01 December 2020
The Government of Hong Kong has published a revised Gazette Notice (GN) under Cap 599H and added Ecuador and Germanyas listed specified places.
Date: 10 November 2020
Hong Kong Travel Restrictions:
The Government of Hong Kong has published a revised Gazette Notice (GN) under Cap 599H, to add Turkey as listed specified places, with effect from 13 November 2020.
1. Added Turkey and All other countries except China (Mainland/Taiwan/Macau) as listed specified places, with effect from 13Nov2020.
Inbound travelers who have visited or transited through Bangladesh, Belgium, Ethiopia, France, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Turkey (effect from 13Nov2020), the United Kingdom and the United States of America in the past 14 days prior arriving will be required to show the following documents:
Test Report
A test report issued by a laboratory or healthcare institution that contains the passenger’s name identical to that in his/her travel document to show that:
- they have undertaken a nucleic acid test for COVID-19;
- the sample for the test was taken within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure of the flight to Hong Kong;
- the result of the test for COVID-19 was negative.
If the relevant report is not in English or Chinese or does not contain all of the above information, a written confirmation in English or Chinese issued by the laboratory or healthcare institution that contains the following information must be presented with the test report:
- the name of the passenger (this must be identical to the name of his/her valid travel document);
- they underwent a nucleic acid test for COVID-19;
- the sample for the test was taken within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure of the flight to Hong Kong;
- the result of the test for COVID-19 was negative.
Documentary proof
Documentary proof in English or Chinese to show that the laboratory or healthcare institution is ISO 15189 accredited or recognized or approved by the relevant authority of the government of the place in which the laboratory or healthcare institution is located.
Note:
- This can be in form of a copy of ‘Certificate of Accreditation’, ‘Certificate of Compliance’ or information printed out from government official website. Please note that a separate documentary proof is required even if the test report from the laboratory or healthcare institution contains an ISO accreditation reference.
- The documentary proof should be issued by a third party, such as the relevant authority of the government. A letter from the laboratory itself stating it is accredited is not acceptable.
Hotel reservation confirmation:
A confirmation in English or Chinese of a hotel room reservation in Hong Kong for not less than 14 days starting on the date of arrival in Hong Kong.
Note:
- Accommodation is required for all passengers coming from or transiting through the above mentioned high risk countries/regions. Passengers who have a residential address in Hong Kong are also required to undergo a 14 days of quarantine at a hotel.
- The booking must be with a hotel. Hostels, guesthouses, Airbnb and service apartments are not acceptable.
Travelers who visited any country outside China (Effective on 13 Nov 2020):
Inbound travelers, who have visited a specified place outside China (excluding very high-risk areas specified otherwise) in the past 14 days prior arriving, must provide a confirmation in English or Chinese of a hotel room reservation in Hong Kong for not less than 14 days starting on the day of arrival in Hong Kong.
2. Airline submission to the DH under Cap.599H (Updated template)
The operator should submit to the Department of Health (DH) before the aircraft arrives at Hong Kong a document in a form specified by the DH confirming that each relevant traveler has, before being produced the documentary proof to show that the above conditions are met.
The updated template will be available for download (from 12Nov2020)
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/inbound/Airline_submission_to_DH_under_Cap.599H_email_template.pdf
3. Non-compliance & Enforcement
All suspected non-compliant cases will be referred to relevant enforcement teams for further investigation and necessary actions.
Under Section 3(2)(a)(i) of Cap.599H, an aircraft may be prohibited from landing at the Hong Kong International Airport, if any specified conditions is not met in relation to any relevant traveler on the aircraft.
4. Invoke - prohibition from landing
If a health officer reasonably suspects that there is on board the conveyance any person who has contracted COVID-19; or who has been exposed to a significant risk of contracting COVID-19, a health officer may prohibit the aircraft from landing in Hong Kong.
To better control the epidemic situation in Hong Kong and further reduce the number of imported cases, the Department of Health has established the following general criteria for invoking section 3(2)(a)(i) of Cap. 599H to prohibit landing of passenger flights in Hong Kong:
Since 15Sep2020,
- A passenger flight has 5 or more passengers confirmed to have COVID-19 through specimens collected at the DH’s Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC); or
- Two consecutive passenger flights from the same original port of the same airline have 3 or more passengers confirmed to have COVID-19 through specimens collected at the DH’s TSCC
If either of the above criteria is met, the passenger flights from the relevant original port of the airline concerned will be prohibited from landing in Hong Kong for 2 weeks. The DH will liaise with Civil Aviation Department (CAD) for follow-up actions.
For a flight carrying passengers to Hong Kong which has found to have confirmed case(s) onboard upon arrival, if any of the above two criteria has been met, the concerned flight will be prohibited from landing in Hong Kong for two weeks. That means, during the subsequent two weeks of prohibition period, the flight carrying passengers on board will be prohibited from landing in Hong Kong, while flights for cargo-only will NOT be affected.
Additional criteria for invoking Cap.599H
Effective 13Nov2020,
- A passenger flight has ONE or more passengers confirmed to have COVID-19 through specimens collected at the DH’s Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) AND ONE or more non-compliant case
If the above criteria are met, the passenger flight from the relevant original port of the airline concerned will be prohibited from landing in Hong Kong for 2 weeks. The DH will liaise with Civil Aviation Department (CAD) for follow-up actions.
For details, please refer below government website:
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html
Date: 30 October 2020
Please be informed that the Government of Hong Kong has published a revised Gazette Notice (GN) under Cap 599H, to add Belgium as listed specified places, with effect from 03 November 2020.
For more details entry requirements, please refer to:
The relevant press release ( https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202010/27/P2020102700505.htm),
And the new GN (176 of 2020) is available at ( https://www.gld.gov.hk/egazette/pdf/20202496e/egn20202496176.pdf).
In summary, with effect from 03 November 2020, the list of specified places includes:
(1) Bangladesh
(2) Belgium
(3) Ethiopia
(4) France
(5) India
(6) Indonesia
(7) Kazakhstan
(8) Nepal
(9) Pakistan
(10) the Philippines
(11) Russia
(12) South Africa
(13) United Kingdom
(14) United States of America
For more details regarding Cap.599H, please refer to the Government's thematic webpage: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.
Date: 20 September 2020
Please see letter from Hong Kong Port Health regarding the general criteria for invoking 3(2)(a)(i) of Cap 599H.
The Department of Health has the right to prohibit landing of any passengers flights in Hong Kong if:
- A flight has 5 or more confirmed cases tested positive through specimens collected at TSCC
- Two consecutive passenger flights from same original port of the same airlines have 3 or more passengers confirmed through the specimens collected at TSCC
Date: 26 August 2020
For your easier reference, please find the hyperlink below for the list of hotels accepting reservations for inbound travelers from specified places. https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/inbound/hotels_en.pdf
Date: 24 August 2020
Hong Kong travel restriction
Please note the below latest regulations concerning pre-test requirement for passengers who were in Ethiopia for the past 14 days traveling to Hong Kong, in relation to COVID-19 which will be in effect from 28th August,2020.
In view of the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Hong Kong, the Government today (August 21) gazetted the latest legislative amendments and specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599) to more effectively combat the epidemic.
The Regulation (Cap. 599H) added Ethiopia as one of the very high-risk places whereby travellers who have stayed in specified place(s) within 14 days before boarding the flight arriving in Hong Kong would be required to undergo a test for the virus and make a hotel reservation for the purpose of quarantine.
Passengers must provide the following documents:
1. a test report in English or Chinese issued by a laboratory or healthcare institution bearing the name of the relevant traveller identical to that in his/her valid travel document to show that:
- the relevant traveller underwent a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 the sample for which was taken from the relevant traveller within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the specified aircraft;
- the test conducted on the sample is a nucleic acid test for COVID-19; and
- the result of the test is that the relevant traveller was tested negative for COVID-19
2 . if the relevant report is not in English or Chinese or does not contain all of the above information, a written confirmation in English or Chinese issued by the laboratory or healthcare institution bearing the name of the relevant traveller identical to that in his/her valid travel document and setting out all of the above information. The said written confirmation should be presented together with the test report; and
3. documentary proof in English or Chinese to show that the laboratory or healthcare institution is ISO 15189 accredited or is recognized or approved by the relevant authority of the government of the place in which the laboratory or healthcare institution is located; and
4. the relevant traveller has confirmation in English or Chinese of room reservation in a hotel in Hong Kong for not less than 14 days starting on the day of the arrival of the relevant traveller in Hong Kong.
The operator of the specified aircraft must submit to DH (Department of Health) before the specified aircraft arrives at Hong Kong a document in a form specified by DH confirming that each relevant traveller has, before being checked-in for the flight to Hong Kong on the aircraft, produced for boarding on the aircraft the documentary proof to show that the above conditions are met.
Date: 17 July 2020
Effective from 25 July 2020, Passengers were in below countries for the past 14 days are required to produce additional documentation/ proofs before acceptance
Bangladesh
India
Indonesia
Nepal
Pakistan
The Philippines
South Africa
United States of America
Kazakhstan
Additional requirements:
Certificate from lab with passenger's ID and verify passengers tested negative within 72 hours before STD showing negative from COVID-19.
Original lab report.
Certificate from local Government recognizing the lab.
Confirmed Hotel booking of 14 days in HKG for quarantine purpose. All the cost associates with the 14 days quarantine in the hotel will be on passenger own cost.
Airline to submit a document for each flight indicating passengers and fulfillment of above
To protect the safety and health of passengers and staff at HKIA upon the resumption of transfer/transit services at HKIA effective from 0001 hrs on 1June 2020, additional measures will be implemented at HKIA until further notice. Airlines (their crew members and passengers) are required to the implementation of the following measures.
Pre-flight:
- All passengers arriving in Hong Kong shall have gone through body temperature screening before boarding the flight at the out port. Passengers with body temperature above normal shall not be allowed boarding.
- All passengers shall have undertaken health declarations before boarding. Please refer to Appendix 1 for sample questions of the health declaration.
- Airlines shall only accept check-in and boarding of transfer passengers who will be accepted for entry at their final destination. Since non-Hong Kong residents will not be permitted to enter into Hong Kong, it is important for airlines to strictly follow this measure to avoid any passengers being stranded at HKIA. For your easy reference, we enclose a copy of the letters sent to Airline Operators' Committee by the Immigration Department on Entry Restrictions on Non-Hong Kong Residents dated 7 April 2020 and 23 March 2020 as Appendix 2 and 3 respectively.
In-flight:
- Announcement(s) shall be made to update passengers of the latest arrangements for arrival and transfer/transit at HKIA as attached in Appendix 4.
- In addition, measures shall be implemented to prevent the spread of the virus, for examples, by requiring passengers to wear masks/face covering and provide sanitizers for passengers' use.
Upon arrival at HKIA:
- All passengers shall be reminded of the requirement to wear face masks covering the nose and mouth upon arrival and at all times during their transfer/transit at HKIA.
- All passengers shall be reminded to rub their hands with sanitizers and disinfect their shoes on sanitizing mats upon disembarkation at the arrival gate.
Transfer/Transit at HKIA:
- All transfer/transit passengers should proceed to the boarding gate directly so as to minimize the time spent at other areas of the terminal building.
- Airlines should make necessary arrangement to segregate the seating and boarding of transfer/transit passengers from passengers departing from HKIA as far as practicable.
Date 10 July 2020
The new conditions imposed by the Department of Health on all crew members of goods and passenger vessels arriving Hong Kong at the HKIA for sign on with effect from Jul 10, 2020. All crew members of goods and passenger vessels who do not possess negative test results will be denied entry, and the shipping company / agent concerned are required to arrange these crew members to fly back to their originating country.
Airlines shall ensure that the seamen possess:
1. A guarantee letter from a shipping company or agent and
2. A test report before accepting on a flight to HKIA.
The shipping company/agent is required to comply with the following conditions:
- Crew arriving Hong Kong at the Hong Kong International Airport to sign-on goods passenger vessels must have a negative results of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test at his/her last place of embarkation within 48 hours prior to his/her time of departure from the place of embarkation. ;
- The shipping company / agent shall declare on the guarantee letter to be submitted to the Immigration Department that the crew member(s) concerned has/have been tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid with 48 hours prior to his/her of departure from the place of embarkation. ;
- The crew is required to present the test report and guarantee letter to staff of Department of Health when he/she enters Hong Kong. And
- Crew members who do not possess negative test results will be denied entry, and the shipping company / agent concerned are required to arrange these crew members to fly back to their originating country (ies) forthwith.
