As many Hong Kong residents are returning to Hong Kong from the Guangdong Province after the Lunar New Year festive period, to ensure smooth immigration clearance at the boundary control points, the Government reminded the Hong Kong residents who wish to return to Hong Kong under "Return2hk - Travel Scheme for Hong Kong Residents returning from Guangdong Province or Macao without being subject to quarantine under the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C)" (Return2hk Scheme) that they should fulfil all the specified conditions in order to be exempted from the 14-day compulsory quarantine requirement upon their return.
 
     The specified conditions under the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) by the Secretary for Food and Health include:

(1) not having been to places other than Hong Kong, Guangdong Province or Macao in the past 14 days;

(2) being able to present the proof of a valid negative nucleic acid test result conducted in any medical institution located in Guangdong Province or Macao that is mutually recognised by the governments of Hong Kong and Guangdong/Hong Kong and Macao upon arrival; and

(3) holding a quota allocation of the Return2hk Scheme and returning to Hong Kong on the date and at the boundary control point as specified in the booking.

     A Government spokesman said, "Hong Kong residents who wish to return to Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme should apply under a quota using the online booking system (www.quotabooking.gov.hk/cbt_booking/index_hk.jsp). The online booking system is now open for booking 24/7 to assist members of the public to make reservations at their convenience."
 
     "Hong Kong residents who have successfully applied for a quota allocation should allow sufficient time for taking a COVID-19 nucleic acid test at one of the medical institutions mutually recognised by the governments of Hong Kong and Guangdong/Hong Kong and Macao, such that they present proof of a valid negative nucleic acid test result upon arrival in Hong Kong. The sample should be taken within three days prior to, or on the day of the person's entry into Hong Kong. Currently there are 51 recognised medical institutions in Guangdong Province, and four recognised medical institutions in Macao. The lists of recognised medical institutions are available on the dedicated website for the Return2hk Scheme."
 
     As many Hong Kong residents are returning from the Guangdong Province to Hong Kong shortly, to expedite the clearance process, reduce waiting time and avoid network connection problems at the boundary control points, the Government spokesman strongly advised Hong Kong residents who intend to return to Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme to, apart from returning on the date and at the boundary control point as specified in their booking, complete the code conversion process through the "Yuekang code"(粵康碼) or the "Macao Health Code" (澳康碼) within 24 hours before setting off to obtain a "Green" QR code (see attachments). A dedicated channel has been set up at the boundary control points for the use of travellers with a "Green" QR code. They should also bring along their Hong Kong identity card or other identification documents, the confirmation of a successful booking (i.e. an electronic copy or a printout of the booking confirmation page) as well as the proof of a valid negative nucleic acid test result (paper or electronic copy are both acceptable) for checking if necessary when they return to Hong Kong.
 
     "If the code conversion process generates a QR code of a different colour (e.g. a 'Pink' QR code), it means the traveller has yet to fulfil all the specified conditions, and he or she may still be subject to the 14-day compulsory quarantine requirement upon entry into Hong Kong", said a Government spokesman.
 
     The Government has produced user guides on "code conversion" for the easy reference of returning Hong Kong residents. They are available at the links below:
     
     Transmission of the valid negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result to the electronic health declaration system of the Department of Health through the "Yuekang code" (粵康碼):
     Video (in Chinese only): youtu.be/okGoaF7Qb2U
     PDF version (English version): www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/Return2hk_Code_Conversion_Use_Guide_en.pdf
 
     Transmission of the valid negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result to the electronic health declaration system of the Department of Health through the "Macao Health Code" (澳康碼)
     Video (in Chinese only): youtu.be/CbHg6Bsb22Q
     PDF version (English version): www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/Return2hk_Code_Conversion_Use_Guide_en.pdf
 

     Details of the Return2hk Scheme and the lists of medical institutions mutually recognised by the governments of Hong Kong and Guangdong/Hong Kong and Macao, are available on the dedicated website (return2hk.gov.hk or 回港易.政府.香港). Members of the public may also call the hotline of the Return2hk Scheme at 3142 2330 if they have any enquiries. 
 

Ends/Thursday, February 18, 2021
Issued at HKT 20:30

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