With vaccination rates increasing around the world, the number of inbound travellers (including Hong Kong residents and non-Hong Kong residents) holding non-local COVID-19 vaccination records is on the rise. In view of the situation, the Food and Health Bureau announced today (September 14) a new arrangement for members of the public to register their non-local vaccination records with the Government through voluntary declaration (Note). The new arrangement will facilitate these persons to carry and view the records in electronic format for their daily use in fulfilling relevant requirements under the local vaccine bubble (such as entering into premises which require proof of vaccination).
Under the new arrangement, any inbound traveller who is subject to compulsory quarantine has to declare his or her non-local COVID-19 vaccination record while conducting the "Health & Quarantine Information Declaration" via the online platform of the Department of Health (www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/). Officers at control points will check the proof of non-local vaccination record of the relevant inbound traveller upon his or her arrival in Hong Kong. For travellers arriving at Hong Kong International Airport from September 15 onwards, they will be issued a compulsory quarantine order together with a vaccination record QR code for local use at the same time. The same arrangement will be applicable to those arriving at Hong Kong via land boundary control points from September 28 onwards.
As for inbound travellers already present in Hong Kong, they can declare online their non-local vaccination records through the "COVID-19 Vaccination Information Declaration" (www.chp.gov.hk/vac-df/) starting from September 15. Upon completion of the declaration, a vaccination record QR code for local use will be issued immediately. Those who are unable to make the declaration online can declare their non-local vaccination record at designated counters of Hongkong Post (list of post offices is in Annex) with assistance from the staff free of charge. An applicant will need to complete the declaration form and present the original copies of his or her identity document and non-local vaccination record for the purpose of declaration. Children aged under 18 or persons with a disability can authorise a person to register on their behalf. For details, please refer to "FAQ – Non-local COVID-19 Vaccination Record" (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/zh-HK/faq).
For convenience, holders of a QR code of vaccination record for local use can scan and save the code with the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app. They may also continue to present paper vaccination records for daily use to fulfill the relevant requirement under the vaccine bubble. It should be noted that the registration of non-local vaccination records through voluntary declaration aims at enabling holders to store their records in electronic format. The QR code is neither an official record issued by the relevant local authority as a recognition for medical or inbound or outbound purposes nor a verification of the authenticity of the non-local vaccination record. The QR code thus cannot replace the original vaccination record. Relevant persons should keep the original copies of their non-local COVID-19 vaccination records properly.
Note: For acceptable vaccines for registration, please refer to the "List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes" published on the website (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/list_of_recognised_covid19_vaccines.pdf).
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