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Government resumes quarantine exemption for persons returning from both Mainland areas other than Guangdong Province and Macao under Return2hk Scheme
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     ​The Government announced today (September 7) the resumption of quarantine exemption for persons returning from both Mainland areas other than Guangdong Province and Macao under the Return2hk Scheme, given the COVID-19 pandemic situation has stabilised in Hong Kong, Macao and the Mainland. Starting from September 8 (Wednesday), Hong Kong residents staying in Mainland provinces and municipalities other than Guangdong Province, and Macao, upon fulfilment of all specified conditions under the Return2hk Scheme, including: not having stayed in places other than Hong Kong, the Mainland or Macao and any areas that are included in the list of at-risk places temporarily inapplicable under the Return2hk Scheme published on the Return2hk Scheme thematic website, in the past 14 days before arriving in Hong Kong (not including the period where a person has been undergoing compulsory quarantine in the Mainland or Macao under the requirement in that place) could be exempted from the 14-day compulsory quarantine requirement when returning to Hong Kong. From 00:00 midnight, September 8 onwards, the online booking system will accept quota applications from Hong Kong residents returning to Hong Kong from both Mainland areas other than Guangdong Province and Macao.  

     ​​To ensure that Hong Kong residents would be returning to Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme in a gradual and orderly manner, a quota arrangement for specific boundary control point will still be put in place after the resumption of the Scheme. There are 3 000 daily quotas for residents returning via the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, 2 000 for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port, and 1 000 for the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).  

     ​​Hong Kong residents who wish to return to Hong Kong, whether they choose to return via the HKIA or any one of the land boundary control points, must apply for a quota through the online booking system of the Scheme. They must return to Hong Kong on the date and via the boundary control point as specified in the booking. The detailed arrangements for entry into Hong Kong via the HKIA and land boundary control points are provided below:

Returning to Hong Kong via the HKIA

     ​​Hong Kong residents with a quota for returning Hong Kong via the HKIA must, on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or within three days before that day, take the COVID-19 (RT-PCR) nucleic acid test in a nucleic acid testing organisation which is recognised by the National Health Commission and obtain the original copy of a paper-based proof of a valid negative nucleic acid test result. Information about the nucleic acid testing organisations recognised by the National Health Commission can be accessed through the nucleic acid testing organisation enquiry function of the State Council Portal Mini Program.

     ​​Before boarding, the Hong Kong residents with a quota should fill in the electronic health declaration form through the electronic health declaration system of the Department of Health (DH), including declaring relevant travel history and whether the specified conditions under the Return2hk Scheme have been fulfilled. A Return2hk Green QR code will be issued to those who have fulfilled all the specified conditions; otherwise, a Pink QR code will be shown, indicating that the Hong Kong resident may still be subject to 14-day compulsory quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong. 

     ​​The Hong Kong residents will need to present the relevant documentary proof, including the original copy of a paper-based proof of a valid negative nucleic acid test result, and the screenshot of the abovementioned State Council Portal Mini Program to show that the relevant testing organisation is recognised by the National Health Commission to the crews at airline check-in counters.

     ​​Upon their arrival, the Hong Kong residents with a quota should, apart from presenting their identification documents, the Return2hk Green QR codes, the aforementioned test result and screenshot, follow the instructions and arrangement of airport staff and proceed to the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre of DH at the airport for the COVID-19 test. They should then wait at the designated Return2hk area for the test result. If the test result is negative, they can proceed with immigration procedures and be exempted from the 14-day compulsory quarantine requirement. However, they must still undergo testing on the 3rd, 5th, 9th, 12th, 16th and 19th day following their arrival in Hong Kong (if they are still in Hong Kong).

Returning to Hong Kong via Land Boundary Control Points

     ​​Hong Kong residents who are staying in Mainland provinces and municipalities other than Guangdong, and Macao with a reserved quota to return to Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Bay Port or the HZMB Hong Kong Port must take a COVID-19 (RT-PCR) nucleic acid test in one of the medical institutions mutually recognised by the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong/Hong Kong and Macao. The test sample should be taken from the person concerned on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or within three days before that day so that he/she can present the proof of a valid negative nucleic acid test result at the boundary control point. The list of recognised medical or testing institutions in Guangdong Province is available at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_GD.pdf; whereas the list of recognised medical or testing institutions in Macao is available at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_MO.pdf. Before arriving at the boundary control points, they should also transmit the valid negative test result to the electronic health declaration system of DH through "Yuekang code" (粵康碼) or "Macao health code" (澳康碼). They should also fill in and submit the electronic health declaration form. A Green QR code will be issued to those who have fulfilled all the specified conditions, with which they would be exempted from the compulsory quarantine requirement upon their return to Hong Kong. However, they must still undergo testing on the 3rd, 5th, 9th, 12th, 16th and 19th day following their arrival in Hong Kong (if they are still in Hong Kong).

     ​​The Government spokesman emphasised that Hong Kong residents who can fulfil all the specified conditions and are returning to Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme should still exercise self-monitoring of their health conditions for at least 14 days after their entry into Hong Kong. They should observe the points listed in "The Health-monitoring Checklist for Inbound Travellers". If they feel unwell, they should seek medical advice promptly and reveal their travel history to medical practitioners. If there is any concern about their symptoms, they may make a request to their doctors for taking a relevant virus test.

     ​​Details of the Return2hk Scheme are available at the "COVID-19 Thematic 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.

     ​​The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will maintain close communication with the relevant authorities of the Mainland and the Macao SAR Government to discuss the further resumption of cross-boundary flow of passengers amongst the three places having regard to the latest situation of the pandemic. The Come2hk Scheme now scheduled for launch on September 15 will allow non-Hong Kong residents in Guangdong Province and Macao to come to Hong Kong without being subject to compulsory quarantine upon fulfilment of the specified conditions under that scheme. A quota arrangement will also be put in place under the Come2hk Scheme: a daily quota of 1 000 will be set for the Shenzhen Bay Port and HZMB Hong Kong Port respectively. The HKSAR Government will announce the details of the Come2hk Scheme at a suitable juncture.
 
Ends/Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Issued at HKT 21:51
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