COVID-19 UPDATE - COMPULSORY QUARANTINE FROM MAR.19

Updated Apr.07

The HKSAR Government has decided to extend, until further notice, the entry restriction on non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas countries or regions by plane and those having been to overseas countries or regions in the past 14 days preceding arrival at Hong Kong. All transit services at the Hong Kong International Airport will also continue to be suspended until further notice.

Just to recap:

• All non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas countries and regions by plane will be denied entry to Hong Kong;
• Non-Hong Kong residents coming from the Mainland, Macao and Taiwan will be denied entry to Hong Kong if they have been to any overseas countries and regions in the past 14 days;
• All transit services at Hong Kong International Airport will be suspended; and
• All travellers coming from Macao and Taiwan, including Hong Kong and non-Hong Kong residents, will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine, which is the same as the arrangements for people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland.

At present, the COVID-19 pandemic remains severe around the globe. In view of the latest situation, the HKSAR Government has decided to extend the aforementioned entry restriction and suspension of airport transit services, which were implemented since March 25, until further notice.

For more information, please refer to the press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202004/06/P2020040600671.htm

Meanwhile, you may find the following handy links to the government websites useful for reference please:

Website on the Fight Against the Coronavirus
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html

CHP's geospatial dashboard on coronavirus infections
https://chp-dashboard.geodata.gov.hk/nia/en.html

BrandHK Update Page
http://www.brandhk.gov.hk/html/en/WhatSOn/HKUpdate2019.html

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Updated Mar.19

Dear Members and friends,

Further to our information yesterday, we would like to share with you more details about the implementation of the new measures which have been effective from 00.00am today.

Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation gazetted

The Government published in the Gazette on March 18 the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E). The Regulation introduces a resolute and rigorous measure to combat the global outbreak of the COVID-19 by imposing compulsory quarantine orders on all persons arriving from all places outside China. The Regulation commenced at 00.00am on March 19 and will take effect for three months. Under the Regulation, all persons having stayed in overseas countries and territories specified by a general notice in the Gazette for any period during the 14 days preceding arrival in Hong Kong, regardless of nationality and travel documents used, will be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days.   

For details, please refer to the press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/18/P2020031800758.htm

Exemption arrangement under Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation

In accordance with section 4(1) of the Regulation, the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) may exempt any person or categories of people from the quarantine requirement if the CS is satisfied that the person's or persons' entry into Hong Kong are: supplying goods or services required for the normal operation of Hong Kong or the daily needs of the people in Hong Kong; for governmental operation; for the protection of the safety or health of the people of Hong Kong or the handling of public health emergency; or cases of exceptional circumstance that serves the public interest of Hong Kong.

Besides, the CS has exempted the following categories of persons from the quarantine requirement. They include crew members of aircrafts who need to commute to and from foreign places for performance of necessary duties; crew members of goods vessels; government officials carrying out governmental duties; experts, personnel of the academic sectors or of international authorities who are engaged in research and/or provide advice in combating the COVID-19 infection to the HKSAR Government.

For details, please refer to the press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/18/P2020031800812.htm

Here are some handy links to government websites for your reference:

Website on the Fight Against the Coronavirus
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html

Health Quarantine Arrangements on Inbound Travellers from Overseas
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html

BrandHK Update Page
http://www.brandhk.gov.hk/html/en/WhatSOn/HKUpdate2019.html

Hong Kong's Multi-Pronged Response to COVID-19
https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/uploads/brandhk/files/factsheets/Hong_Kong_Themes/Factsheet_COVID-19_March%2017_E.pdf

Please continue to take care. Have a good day.

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Updated Mar.18

Dear Members and friends,

In view of the health risks arising from the persistent and rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases globally, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has made the following announcements based on public health considerations.

Health quarantine arrangements extended to all inbound travellers from overseas

From 00:00:01 on March 19 (Thursday), the Department of Health's Port Health Division officers will issue quarantine orders for compulsory quarantine to people arriving in Hong Kong who have been to all overseas countries/territories in the past 14 days, regardless of whether they are Hong Kong residents.

Meanwhile, the quarantine measures announced earlier for Hong Kong residents returning from Hubei Province in the past 14 days to stay in a quarantine centre for quarantine remain unchanged. Also, quarantine orders will continue to be issued to all people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland, regardless of whether they are Hong Kong residents, demanding them to stay at home or other accommodation for a 14-day compulsory quarantine.

For details, please refer to the press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/17/P2020031700754.htm

Government issues Red Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) on all overseas countries/territories

The HKSAR Government on March 17 decided to issue the Red OTA on all overseas countries/territories. As the pandemic situation around the world is evolving rapidly, members of the public are strongly urged to adjust their travel plans and avoid any non-essential travel outside Hong Kong. For details, please refer to the press release:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/17/P2020031700577.htm

Here are some handy links to government websites for your reference:

Website on the Fight Against the Coronavirus
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html

Health Quarantine Arrangements on Inbound Travellers from Overseas
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html

BrandHK Update Page
http://www.brandhk.gov.hk/html/en/WhatSOn/HKUpdate2019.html

Hong Kong's Multi-Pronged Response to COVID-19
https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/uploads/brandhk/files/factsheets/Hong_Kong_Themes/Factsheet_COVID-19_Mar%205_E.pdf

Meanwhile, please take care and hope everybody stay healthy.

Best regards,
HKETO, Singapore
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