Government adjusts quarantine and testing arrangements for persons arriving at HK who have stayed in Taiwan
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Currently, persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in places in China (the Mainland, Macao and Taiwan), whether arriving at Hong Kong via the airport or land boundary control points, are subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at home if they did not return under the Return2hk Scheme. The compulsory home quarantine period for fully vaccinated persons can be reduced to seven days, with a subsequent seven-day self-monitoring period and compulsory testing on the 12th day of arrival at Hong Kong.
In view of the worsening local epidemic situation in Taiwan with an increasing trend in the number of confirmed cases, in order to achieve the objective of preventing the importation of cases, the Government will gazette the relevant revised specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to require all persons who have stayed in Taiwan on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or during the 14 days before that day to undergo compulsory quarantine in designated quarantine hotels starting from May 16, while home quarantine will no longer be allowed, so as to minimise the chance of the virus entering the community.
The relevant persons have to present at boarding the confirmation of a room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong. Upon arrival at Hong Kong, they will still be subject to the "test-and-hold" arrangement at the airport. Upon confirmation of negative test results, they will then be required to board the designated transport arranged by the Government to proceed to the designated quarantine hotels for compulsory quarantine.
Persons subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine are required to undergo three tests during quarantine, and undergo compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th day of their arrival at Hong Kong.
Fully vaccinated persons subject to a seven-day compulsory quarantine are required to undergo two tests during quarantine, self-monitor for the subsequent seven days, and undergo compulsory testing on the 12th day of their arrival at Hong Kong.
As for persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in Taiwan and are already in Hong Kong under home quarantine, the Government will gazette a compulsory testing notice to require them to undergo compulsory testing after the completion of home quarantine. Persons arriving at Hong Kong between May 6 and May 15 and subject to the 14-day compulsory home quarantine are required to undergo compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th day of their arrival at Hong Kong, and fully vaccinated persons arriving on or after May 12 and subject to the seven-day compulsory home quarantine are required to undergo compulsory testing on the 12th day of their arrival at Hong Kong.
A Government spokesman said, "The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation, including the developments of the epidemic situation locally and in different places, vaccination progress, and changes in the volume of cross-boundary passenger traffic, and will adjust the boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from places with different risks when necessary."
Ends/Friday, May 14, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:25
Issued at HKT 18:25
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