The Government announced today (May 31) that the boarding and quarantine requirements for persons arriving from certain places will be adjusted from June 4.
In view of the persistent unstable epidemic situation in the region, as well as the prevalent transmission of cases involving the more transmissible and potentially more serious mutant virus strains, the Government will specify Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam as Group B specified places with effect from June 4 upon close monitoring of the epidemic developments in relevant places, the prevalence of mutant virus strains and the case importation risks that may pose to Hong Kong.
On the other hand, the Government has specified the United Kingdom as a very high-risk Group A2 specified place since May 7 so as to lift the boarding restriction imposed earlier and all relevant persons arriving at Hong Kong are subject to a 21-day compulsory quarantine. Having considered the United Kingdom's continued rising vaccination rate and that there has been no imported cases since the resumption of passenger flights to Hong Kong, the Government will specify the United Kingdom as a Group B specified place from June 4 onwards.
All persons who have stayed in Group B specified places on the day of boarding or during the 14 days before that day (relevant period) will have to present at boarding a negative result proof of a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 conducted within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft, as well as the confirmation of a room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong. On arrival at Hong Kong, they will be subject to the "test-and-hold" arrangement at the airport, and on confirmation of negative test results, they will then be required to board the designated transport arranged by the Government to proceed to the designated quarantine hotels for compulsory quarantine.
Persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in Group B specified places but are yet to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines will be subject to a 21-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with four tests to be conducted during the period. Those who have been fully vaccinated will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with three 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 day of arrival at Hong Kong. Fully vaccinated means that the suggested dosage has been administered in accordance with relevant guidelines of a COVID-19 vaccination course at least 14 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong. The relevant vaccines administered should be those included on the List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes.
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 measures on June 4.
"The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation of various places, the prevalence of new virus variants, vaccination progress, and changes in the volume of cross-boundary passenger traffic, and will adjust the boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from relevant places as the situation warrants," a Government spokesman said.
Details on the grouping of specified places and their respective boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.
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