COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Hong Kong SAR China (14 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are allowed to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• All non-Hong Kong residents arriving by air from any location other than mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan will be denied entry. Non-Hong Kong residents arriving from mainland China, Macau, or Taiwan will be denied entry if they have been to any overseas countries and regions in the past 14 days.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Passengers can use HKIA for transit/transfer on flights operated by different airlines under the same air ticket, provided the passengers have checked through at the original departure point with their boarding passes printed and baggage tagged through to the final destination. There is a risk traveller will be placed into a 14-day government quarantine if they show symptoms.

• Flights going to China not allowed to transit through Hong Kong.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• All travellers entering Hong Kong, including Hong Kong residents, will have to take a mandatory medical test for coronavirus on arrival.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Certificates for COVID-19 tests performed outside the country are accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Any traveller arriving in Hong Kong who, in the previous 14 days, has been in a high-risk country (including the UK, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, and Kazakhstan) must provide a letter or certificate in English or Chinese from a government-approved laboratory indicating a negative result for a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 completed within 72 hours prior to departure. The travellers must also have confirmation in English or Chinese of a room reservation in a hotel in Hong Kong for not less than 14 days starting on the day of the arrival in Hong Kong.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Arrivals will be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine.

• Travellers coming to Hong Kong from countries other than mainland China Macau and Taiwan must undergo the 14-day quarantine in a hotel. Upon arrival, travellers need to provide proof of a room reservation in a hotel for at least two weeks.

• From 23 November, Hong Kong residents coming from China’s territory, Guangdong, and Macau will be exempt from quarantine.

• From 22 November, an air travel bubble will begin between Singapore and Hong Kong. Travellers will not be required to quarantine, however, Covid-19 testing will be mandatory.

Entry form required? (health or other)

• Yes

• Anyone entering the country must complete the Health & Quarantine Information Declaration here.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Stay Home Safe App can be downloaded here.

• The Hong Kong government will launch a COVID-19 tracking mobile app on 16 November.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has resumed commercial flights with limited flight options. The inbound travel restrictions, effective since 25 March, remain unchanged.

• At HKIA all passengers are required to wear face masks in the passenger-accessible areas of the airport, including at SkyPier and on the Automated People Mover and Apron Passengers Vehicles.

• Cathay Pacific Airways will resume flights between Hong Kong and Kaohsiung from 21 November.

• From 22 November, an air travel bubble will begin between Singapore and Hong Kong.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Border crossings with mainland China remain closed except Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. All passengers wanting to board a shuttle bus to cross the bridge departing from Hong Kong to Macau must present a certificate for a negative COVID-19 test performed within seven days of their departure.

• The special ferry service between Taipa Ferry Terminal in Macao and Hong Kong International Airport has stopped.

• All ferry crossings between Hong Kong and mainland China are currently not in operation.

• Kai Tak Cruise and Ocean Terminals are also closed to passengers indefinitely.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• Currently, no curfew is in place.

• Authorities have extended social distancing measures until 19 November.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• The maximum number of people that can gather in a group is four people.

  • Team ice-skating with more than four people is allowed.

• Authorities have eased some social distancing measures. Now, Hongkongers are able to join local tours of up to 30 people and wedding ceremonies of no more than 50 people.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Currently, no internal travel restrictions in place.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes with exceptions

• All essential and some non-essential businesses are allowed to operate.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Accommodations are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants are open, however, only six people are allowed to be seated together and all dining facilities must close by 02:00.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Bars and cafes are allowed to operate until midnight. A maximum of four people will be allowed to be seated together. All dining facilities must close by 02:00.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• No with exceptions

• Beaches are open.

Personal care services open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Barbershops and hair salons are open.

• Bathhouses are closed from 01:00 to 05:00 (local time).

• Pools are allowed to open until midnight.

• Gyms and fitness centres have reopened with certain restrictions. Fitness classes can only accommodate four people in the studio, including the trainer. Everyone must wear a mask during the workout. Partitions will be placed in gyms, and equipment will be set at 1.5 metres apart.

• Spa establishments have reopened. Registered Chinese medicine practitioners are also allowed to operate. Physiotherapy centres and certified chiropractic establishments remain open for medical referrals.

Places of worship open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Religious gatherings in temples, churches, and monasteries are allowed with limited occupancy and while adhering to required distancing hygiene measures.

Masks required in public?

• Yes with exceptions

• Face masks are mandatory in all public places, except for during exercise.

Other

• Cinemas have reopened with limited capacity.

• Theme parks are allowed to open until midnight.

• Schools for secondary senior students are open.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans