Hong Kong Quarantine Measures for Incoming Visitors
Source: HK Government
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been closely monitoring the situation of COVID-19 epidemic around the world and timely adjusting the corresponding health quarantine measures for the SAR.
The Government emphasises that self-discipline and community solidarity in fighting against the disease are of utmost importance. Any person concerned who leaves the dwelling place without permission may commit a criminal offence. The penalty upon conviction is imprisonment and a fine. The Government will ensure the persons under compulsory quarantine stay at the premises by spot checks, telephone calls and via monitoring of the status of electronic device, etc.
It would also be a criminal offence for any person to provide false or misleading information (for example, travel history) to the health officer or medical practitioners concerned. The penalty upon conviction is imprisonment and a fine.
Health and Quarantine Information Declaration
All inbound travellers must declare the health and quarantine information truthfully. Travellers can fill in and submit the “Health & Quarantine Information Declaration” form with their smartphone or mobile device before boarding. After submitting the online form, download the result (by clicking “Save QR Code” button) or capture the screen, and show it to the staff of the Department of Health upon entering Hong Kong. The QR code is valid for 48 hours.
Travellers should wear a mask on board, and are required to undergo temperature screening upon arriving in Hong Kong.
The Department of Health urges members of the public arriving in Hong Kong to approach the staff of the Department of Health immediately when respiratory symptoms develop. Passengers who have been confirmed as COVID-19 cases abroad, even if they are asymptomatic currently, should approach staff of the Department of Health upon arrival to reveal their relevant history.
Upon arrival, inbound travellers are required to submit the health declaration result to the staff of the Department of Health. Depending on the situation of the travellers, they will receive corresponding arrangements.
The Department of Health will issue quarantine orders to all passengers arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport (except exempted persons). The Government adopts a risk-based approach to decide appropriate quarantine premises (such as home, hotels or other premises) for different groups of inbound travellers. If inbound travellers have stayed in any specified high risk places on the day or 14 days before boarding the aircraft to Hong Kong, please refer to this webpage.
Inbound travellers proceed to the immigration procedures, collect baggage and clear customs.
Temporary Specimen Collection Centre
All asymptomatic inbound travellers arriving at the Hong Kong International Airport will then be required to collect their deep throat saliva samples for COVID-19 testing at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre of the Department of Health. They will be mandated to wait for test results at a designated location.
Those arriving by flights landing in early mornings and before noons will stay and wait at the Centre. If the test results are negative, they will be allowed to leave for completion of the 14-day compulsory quarantine.
Holding Centre for Test Result
As the test results for passengers arriving in afternoons or at nights will not be available on the same day, they will be transferred to the Holding Centre for Test Result in a hotel by coaches arranged by the Department of Health.
According to quarantine orders, they shall not leave their hotel rooms nor move around in the hotel. The hotel will provide basic catering services during the accommodation period. In general, the relevant passengers will only stay in the hotel for one night. If the test results are negative, they will be released from the holding centre and go home or reported place immediately to continue completion of the 14-day compulsory quarantine.
Remark:
However, the Department of Health will make flexible arrangements according to its capacity and the daily number of passengers arriving on afternoon flights. If necessary, inbound travellers arriving in the afternoon could also be arranged to wait for test results at the TSCC.
If the day's number of inbound travellers is expected to exceed the capacity of the two aforementioned centres, the Department of Health will adopt a triage measure based on risk assessment. Passengers arriving from areas with lower risk will proceed to the designated place for the 14-day compulsory quarantine after collecting their deep throat saliva samples at the TSCC. If their test result is positive, the Department of Health will arrange to send them to a hospital for treatment as soon as possible and arrange to send their close contacts to a quarantine centre.
Compulsory Quarantine
Persons under compulsory quarantine must stay inside their corresponding quarantine premises (such as home and hotel room) at all times. Confinees have to check their body temperature twice daily and record their health condition for monitoring of personal health. During the quarantine period, various government departments will regularly render necessary assistance to those under quarantine. For those who are in need, they can contact the Home Affairs Department District Help Desk Hotline. The Centre for Health Protection of our Department also provides a dedicated hotline which operates 24 hours a day to confinees. If they develop fever or other symptoms, they should call the hotline immediately to report the condition.