UPDATE ON COVID-19 TRAVEL ALERT: "3+4" MODEL FOR QUARANTINE

(1) Change to "3+4" model for quarantine

From August 12, 2022 (Hong Kong time), inbound persons from overseas places or Taiwan will be subject to quarantine under the "3+4" model, i.e. 3-day compulsory quarantine period at designated quarantine hotels (DQHs) (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/designated-hotel.html), followed by 4-day medical surveillance period at home or other self-arranged accommodation, subject to Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass and banned from certain high-risk premises. Afterwards is a 3-day self-monitoring period, with continued daily rapid antigen tests (RATs) until Day 10, and the last nucleic acid test on Day 9.

The day of arrival at HK airport is Day 0. For example, if an inbound person arrives at Hong Kong on August 12, this day is counted as Day 0. He/she will complete quarantine in DQH in the morning of Day 3 (August 15), and medical surveillance in the morning of Day 7 (August 19), subject to negative results of tests having been conducted (see point 3 below).

(2) Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass during medical surveillance period

During the 4-day medical surveillance period, they can go out after obtaining negative results of RATs daily and conduct lower-risk daily essential activities ( eg. taking transport, going to work, entering supermarkets and markets etc), but cannot enter high-risk premises (For the list of premises and exemptions, please see Note 2 of press release https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202208/08/P2022080800803.htm).

(3) Testing arrangements

They need to take multiple tests during compulsory quarantine, medical surveillance and self-monitoring periods:

Day 0: nucleic acid test at the airport;
Day 2: nucleic acid test in DQHs;
Day 4, Day 6 and Day 9: after obtaining negative results of RATs on respective day, they should take nucleic acid tests at a community testing centre (https://www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/) or a mobile specimen collection station (https://www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/station), or arrange a self-paid test by professional swab sampling at a local medical institution recognised by the Government (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf) ; and

During compulsory quarantine, medical surveillance and self-monitoring period, they are subject to daily RATs until Day 10 of arrival at Hong Kong.

(4) Pre-departure requirements

(1) recognised vaccination record (see Note 3 of the press release https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202208/08/P2022080800803.htm and also https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/list_of_recognised_covid19_vaccines.pdf )

(2) negative result proof of a PCR-based nucleic acid test (PCR test) taken within 48 hours (Note: Inbound travellers no longer need to present documentary proof of ISO 15189 accreditation for PCR test. Please also read https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html#PredepartureTest)

(3) confirmation of room reservation in a DQH (https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/designated-hotel.html) for at least 3 nights;

(4) submission of online electronic health declaration (https://www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/) within 96 hours before departure to obtain a QR code

(5) downloading of the latest version of LeaveHomeSafe app (https://www.leavehomesafe.gov.hk/en/)

Points-to-note:

1. Upon successful confirmation of DQH booking information by the online electronic health declaration system, inbound persons will get a green code, and need not further verify vaccination records and DQH booking at check-in for their flights. Upon arrival at Hong Kong, they can also use the "express channels" at airport. For those whose vaccination declaration meets the boarding requirements but the system is unable to confirm their DQH booking information, they will get a pink QR code, and need to present DQH booking documentation upon check-in for their flights. Please read here https://gia.info.gov.hk/general/202208/08/P2022080800803_398989_1_1659975895359.pdf

2. “Test and hold” at Hong Kong airport: Both PCR test and RAT will be conducted. Upon a negative RAT result, they can leave airport in designated transport, to wait for your PCR result at DQH. Please see https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel-faq.html#FAQC2

3. For point-to-point transport services to DQHs and new options of self-paid taxi services, please read https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202207/25/P2022072500146.htm

Further information can be read here:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202208/08/P2022080800803.htm

COVID-19 thematic website:
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html

A list of frequently asked questions from inbound travellers:
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel-faq.html

Pre-departure tests for recovered inbound persons previously infected with COVID-19

Recovered COVID-19 patients can use a medical certificate and a negative RAT test result taken within 24 hours before boarding, if they cannot pass the PCR test. For details please see: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202205/29/P2022052900331.htm

Visa-free days/ application for visas for foreigners

The number of visa-free days (for Singaporeans and Indians) and entry permit requirements (for people from Laos and Vietnam) and travellers from other countries can be browsed in following website. The number of compulsory quarantine days is counted in the number of visa-free days.
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html

Indian nationals are required to complete pre-arrival registration (PAR) online before they can visit Hong Kong visa free. Please click here:
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/pre-arrival_registration_for_indian_nationals.html

Permissible activities during visa-free days are listed as follows:
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/permissible-activities.html

If a longer stay as a ‘visitor’ in Hong Kong is required, please click here for application procedures to extend the visa-free period: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/online-services/applyextensionstay/visitor.html

For further enquiries on visa/entry permit applications, please call Hong Kong’s Immigration Department directly on (852) 2824 6111 or email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk

For enquiries related to COVID-19, quarantine and isolation orders, please call Hong Kong’s Department of Health on (852) 2125 1111 or (852) 2125 1122. The hotlines operate from 9 am to 8 pm daily (HK time).