COVID-19 UPDATE - LATEST ENHANCEMENTS TO ANTI-EPIDEMIC MEASURES

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, yesterday (Mar 23) announced enhancements to the anti-epidemic measures in four aspects, responding quickly to the latest developments of the disease. Here are the major updates:

(1) Preventing imported cases and cutting the virus transmission chain

With effect from 0.00am on March 25 (Wednesday), tentatively for 14 days:
• 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.

A small number of persons can be exempted from the above immigration restrictions and/or quarantine requirements, including:
• Macao residents who are registered under the Macao scheme under agreement between the Macao Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government that they will be immediately taken by coach back to Macao upon entry;
• Crew members of aircraft who need to commute to and from foreign places for performance of necessary duties or crew members of goods vessels;
• Government officials carrying out government duties including personnel of consular posts;
• Spouses and minor children of Hong Kong residents; and
• Personnel engaged in anti-epidemic work endorsed by the HKSAR Government.

(2) Early Identification of asymptomatic inbound travellers
All arriving persons from the UK, other countries in Europe and the US must have virus tests to identify infected but asymptomatic cases as early as possible.

(3) Stringent enforcement actions to combat breaches of quarantine orders
Law enforcement agencies will enhance enforcement and strictly combat offenders breaching quarantine orders, including setting up a hotline for members of the public to report such cases.

(4) Reducing social contacts and gatherings further
Introduce legislation to temporarily prohibit the sale and supply of alcoholic drinks by about 8 600 restaurants, bars and clubs with liquor licences in Hong Kong

Please refer to the press release for more details:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202003/24/P2020032400050.htm

Some handy links to government websites below for your 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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