In this April 4, 2020 photo, a passenger wearing a face mask and protective suit, amid concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus, talks on his phone in the arrivals hall at Hong Kong International Airport. (DALE DE LA REY / AFP)
HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Monday said that boarding and quarantine requirements for people arriving from Argentina, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Singapore will be tightened from May 21.
In a statement issued on Monday night, the government said the decision to classify these countries as “high-risk” areas was made after it closely monitored the epidemic developments in these places and the risks they may pose to Hong Kong.
The HKSAR government said the decision to classify these countries as “high-risk” areas was made after it closely monitored the epidemic developments in these places and the risks they may pose to Hong Kong
Hong Kong and Singapore on Monday deferred their planned air travel bubble but said they will closely monitor the situation and maintain exchanges, and a further announcement will be made on or before June 13.
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Starting May 21, persons who have stayed in these seven countries on the day of boarding or during the 14 days before that day, 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, the government said.
They must also present confirmation of a room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong, it added.
On arrival, they will be tested for the vrius at the airport and, on confirmation of negative test results, they will be brought to their quarantine hotel.
Those who have stayed in these and who are yet to be fully vaccinated will have to undergo 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 and will undergor three virus tests, the government said.
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This will be followed by a seven-day self-monitoring period as well as compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th day after arrival in Hong Kong, it added
In accordance with the requirements for medium-risk and high-risk places, non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in the seven countries will be denied entry in Hong Kong.