Members of the public to pay attention to Beijing’s adjustment of prevention and control measures for persons travelling to Beijing from Hong Kong

     The Beijing Municipal Government recently announced that the COVID-19 nucleic acid test requirement for persons entering Beijing from Hong Kong would be adjusted with effect from March 15. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today (March 9) urged members of the public to pay attention and ensure that they can meet the requirement when travelling to Beijing to avoid hiccups when entering Beijing.
 
     The updated requirement on the COVID-19 nucleic acid test set by the Beijing Municipal Government stated that, in order to further improve the prevention of importation of cases, it has decided to standardise the method of specimen collection for nucleic acid test of inbound travellers from Hong Kong to Beijing. Starting from midnight on March 15, all persons travelling from Hong Kong to Beijing by direct flights will be required to present valid proof of a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result issued within seven days by one of the local COVID-19 nucleic acid testing institutions recognised by the HKSAR Government. The method of specimen collection specified in the proof must be nasopharyngeal swab or combined nasal and throat swab (throat swab as the main method of specimen collection for children under 6 years old). Airlines will check the proof concerned before boarding. Travellers will not be allowed to board the plane if the above-mentioned method of specimen collection was not adopted or the method of specimen collection was not specified in the proof. After entering Beijing, travellers must follow local prevention and control measures policies strictly.
 
     The Government spokesman said, "Before departure to Beijing, members of the public should pay attention to the latest prevention and control measures policies of Beijing in advance. They should also take the COVID-19 nucleic acid test at the testing institutions recognised by the HKSAR Government in time, request for a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result which specifies nasopharyngeal swab or combined nasal and throat swab as the method of specimen collection, and co-operate with airlines on the checking of the proof before boarding."

     The designated testing institutions recognised by the HKSAR Government have been posted on the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories.pdf).