The Government announced today (July 12) that the quarantine requirements for persons arriving from Russia will be tightened from July 16.
 
     In view of the recent rebound of the epidemic situation in Russia and a number of cases with L452R mutant virus strains detected by tests from arrivals who have stayed in Russia, the Government will specify Russia as a very high-risk Group A2 specified place with effect from July 16, upon close monitoring of the epidemic developments in relevant places, the prevalence of mutant virus strains and the case importation risks that may pose to Hong Kong.
 
     All persons who have stayed in any Group A2 specified place on the day of boarding for Hong Kong or during the 21 days before that day, regardless of being fully vaccinated or not, have to present at boarding a negative result proof of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based 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 for 21 nights in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong. On arrival at Hong Kong, they will be subject to the "test-and-hold" arrangement at the airport, and on 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. They will be subject to 21-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with four tests to be conducted during the period, followed by a seven-day self-monitoring period as well as compulsory testing on the 26th day of arrival at Hong Kong at any Community Testing Centre.          
 
     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.
     
     "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/inbound-travel.html.

Ends/Monday, July 12, 2021
Issued at HKT 14:21

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