The Government announced today (June 11) that the boarding requirements for persons arriving from certain places will be tightened from June 18.
     
     In view of the persistent unstable epidemic situation in various overseas places, as well as the prevalent transmission of cases involving the more transmissible and potentially more serious mutant virus strains, the Government will specify Colombia and Korea from Group C specified places to Group B specified places with effect from June 18 upon close monitoring of the epidemic developments in the relevant places, the prevalence of mutant virus strains and the case importation risks that may be posed to Hong Kong.
     
     Persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in any Group B specified place(s) per the day of boarding for Hong Kong or during the 14 days before that day will have to present at boarding a negative result proof of a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 conducted within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft, as well as the confirmation of a room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong. Persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in Group B specified place(s) but are yet to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines will be subject to a 21-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with four tests to be conducted during the period. Those who have been fully vaccinated will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with three tests to be conducted during the period, followed by a seven-day self-monitoring period as well as compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th day of arrival at Hong Kong. Fully vaccinated means the suggested dosage has been administered in accordance with relevant guidelines of a COVID-19 vaccination course at least 14 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong. The relevant vaccines administered should be those included on the List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes.
    
     The Government will gazette the relevant updated specifications under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to effect the above measures on June 18.
     
     "The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation of various places, the prevalence of new virus variants, 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 relevant places as the situation warrants," a Government spokesman said.
     
     Details on the grouping of specified places and their respective boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html.

Ends/Friday, June 11, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:17

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