Regarding the incident of Hong Kong residents quarantined for novel coronavirus on a cruise in Japan, the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Tokyo (HKETO) endeavour to provide practical assistance to the affected Hong Kong residents.

     After learning the incident in early February, ImmD and HKETO immediately contacted the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA), the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Japan (Embassy), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MFA of Japan), Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) and the cruise company concerned to understand the situation. 

     According to the information provided by the cruise company, there are 260 Hong Kong residents on board the cruise. Among them, three Hong Kong residents are confirmed to have infected with the novel coronavirus and are receiving medical treatment at local hospital. The remaining are quarantined on board starting from February 5 for 14 days.

     ImmD has received requests for assistance from the onboard Hong Kong residents who made requests including an early return and medication. For the concern of medication, ImmD has promptly reflected the situation and requests of the onboard Hong Kong residents to the cruise company and duty doctor. ImmD has also, through the embassy and HKETO, requested the authorities concerned in Japan to provide medication and assistance. Meanwhile, ImmD has liaised with the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health of Hong Kong to understand the latest situation. As informed by the cruise company, some affected Hong Kong residents have been issued with the required medication while others will be issued at a later time. Regarding the incident, ImmD will deploy officer(s) to Japan to liaise with relevant parties for ensuring the affected Hong Kong residents to obtain assistance.

     Besides, ImmD and HKETO will understand the return arrangement of those affected Hong Kong residents after their quarantine completed on February 19, so as to provide further assistance.

     ImmD and HKETO will maintain close contact with OCMFA, the Embassy, the MFA of Japan, TIC and the cruise company to monitor the situation, and render suitable and practicable assistance according to the wishes of the affected Hong Kong residents.

     Hong Kong residents travelling outside Hong Kong who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868.

Ends/Sunday, February 9, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:32

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