Government includes Macao on List of At-risk Places Temporarily Inapplicable under Return2hk Scheme
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The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced today that one imported case and three imported-related cases have been confirmed. According to the assessment by Macao's Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre, the risk of local transmission and outbreak of COVID-19 was extremely high. The Chief Executive of the Macao SAR announced that Macao has entered a state of immediate prevention, with effect from 3.30pm today. Starting from the same time, a proof of negative nucleic acid test result obtained within 24 hours is necessary for departure from Macao.
Taking into consideration Macao's local epidemic development and the relevant announcement, the Government will include Macao on the List of At-risk Places from August 4. Persons who have stayed in Macao or any other places on the List of At-risk Places on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or during the 14 days before that day will not be eligible to return to Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme. They will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at home, and have to undergo compulsory testing on the third, the seventh and the 12th days of arrival at Hong Kong during quarantine, as well as on the 16th and 19th days of arrival at Hong Kong after the completion of quarantine. The arrangements of shortened quarantine period to seven days for fully vaccinated persons will also not be applicable.
The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to maintain close communication and liaison with the Mainland and Macao authorities on epidemic prevention and control measures of the three places, and adjust when appropriate the List of At-risk Places based on risk assessment and with reference to the epidemic developments of the three places. Hong Kong residents intending to return to Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme should check in advance the List of At-risk Places as published on the Government website, and avoid staying in the proximity of areas listed on the List of At-risk Places.
Details of the Return2hk Scheme are available at the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (return2hk.gov.hk or 回港易.政府.香港).
Ends/Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Issued at HKT 23:02
Issued at HKT 23:02
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