In view of the global development and the severity of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Government announced today (January 27) that it will gazette the specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to include Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates as very high-risk Group B specified places, effective from February 2, to more effectively combat the epidemic.
A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said, "The global pandemic situation remains severe. The number of new cases had recently reached a record high of over five million cases in a week in early January, while the number of deaths had also reached record high of nearly 97 000 cases in a week in mid-January. Hong Kong cannot afford to drop its guard on entry prevention and control measures."
Taking into account the latest public health risk assessment, and the changes and developments of the epidemic situation, the Secretary for Food and Health will publish in the Gazette updated specifications made under Cap. 599H to include Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates under the very high-risk Group B specified places. The relevant specifications will be effective from February 2 until further notice.
　　
All persons arriving at Hong Kong (either via the airport or land boundary control points) who have stayed in places outside China on the day of arrival in Hong Kong or during the 21 days before that day have to undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 days in designated quarantine hotels. Persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in Group B specified places on the day they board for Hong Kong or during the 21 days before that day are required to present before boarding proof of a negative result of a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 conducted within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft, and confirmation of a room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong for not less than 21 nights starting on the day of the arrival of the relevant traveller in Hong Kong. Details on the grouping of specified places and their respective boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements can be found at following webpage: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.
The spokesman said, "The Government will continue to closely monitor the developments of the global and local epidemic situation, including the extent and pattern of the spread of the disease in a certain place, and will frequently review the epidemic prevention and control requirements for persons returning to Hong Kong from different parts of the world, and adjust them as needed."
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