​The Government announced today (November 10) 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 November 17.
A Government spokesman said, "New Zealand authorities have announced earlier that they would pursue the policy of 'living with the virus' and have set their full vaccination target. We note that the number of confirmed cases there has been increasing. As the risk of the importation of cases has heightened, we have to tighten the quarantine requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from New Zealand."
Fully vaccinated persons who have stayed in Group B specified places on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or during the 14 days before that day will be subject to 14-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels (DQHs), with four tests to be conducted during the period, followed by a seven-day self-monitoring period as well as compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th days of arrival at Hong Kong. Relevant Hong Kong residents who are not fully vaccinated will be subject to 21-day compulsory quarantine at DQHs, with six tests to be conducted during the period. Non-Hong Kong residents who are not fully vaccinated will not be allowed entry.
Details on the corresponding boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements for relevant specified places can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html.
The Government will gazette the relevant updated specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to effect the above measure on November 17.
Currently, New Zealand is the only Group C specified place. In other words, from November 17, no overseas place will be specified as a Group C specified place. By then, for persons arriving from overseas undergoing compulsory quarantine at DQHs, the shortest quarantine period will be 14 days (i.e. the quarantine period applicable to fully vaccinated persons arriving from Group B specified places).
The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situations of different places, and will consider a basket of factors under the risk-based principle, including public health considerations such as the epidemic situations in particular places, testing rates, vaccination rates, the volume of travellers and actual imported cases, as well as other socio-economic factors relevant to Hong Kong, to adjust the boarding, quarantine and testing requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from relevant places based on risk levels as the situation warrants.
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