Reduced quarantines in Hong Kong for the French and their families

The Hong Kong government announced Monday, August 2, 2021 the reopening of borders to vaccinated non-residents as well as the reclassification of countries into three categories. On this occasion, the relaxation of the quarantine conditions imposed on families with children under 12 is particularly welcome. The implementation of these measures is scheduled for August 9. Also from August 18, paid antibody tests will be available at the airport allowing those vaccinated to benefit from reduced quarantines.

Zero infections target in Hong Kong

“ After 56 days without any local Covid-19 infections, we have achieved the goal of zero infections in the community , Carrie Lam said during the press conference on Monday August 2. However, the global epidemic situation threatened by the Delta variant continues to cause concern. Despite Hong Kong's exit from the fourth wave of infection, isolated imported cases still seem inevitable. In order to maintain the goal of "zero local cases", the government plans to strengthen border control measures for travelers from abroad by setting up a "vaccination bubble". This hermetic anti-epidemic barrier planned to prevent the importation of cases and these new measures will come into effect on August 9.

Vaccinated parents accompanied by children under 12 in Hong Kong

In addition, vaccinated travelers from new group B countries, including France, and C will have the authorization to carry out a shortened quarantine. At the end of this quarantine, minors under the age of 12 traveling with their vaccinated parents will be able to complete the remainder of their mandatory quarantine, with them, in self-isolation at home until the end of the quarantine period for minors. (21 days for those arriving from group B and 14 days for group C), provided that all members of the minors' household have been fully vaccinated, and that the minors cannot have contact with persons who have not not been fully vaccinated. Additionally, if their mandatory hotel quarantine period has been shortened to seven days, they must undergo mandatory testing on the 9th, 12th, 16th and 19th days of their arrival in Hong Kong. If their mandatory hotel quarantine period has been shortened to 14 days, they must undergo mandatory testing on the 16th and 19th days of their arrival in Hong Kong.

For tourists and non-residents of Hong Kong

Vaccinated non-resident Hong Kong travelers from Group B and Group C countries who have not stayed in any Group A country during the period concerned, will be able to travel to Hong Kong from a Group B country. Entry will remain prohibited to non-residents of Hong Kong, who have not yet been fully vaccinated, and from Group B.

Serological tests at Hong Kong airport from August 18

In addition to this announcement, the government confirmed on August 7 the implementation of chargeable serological antibody tests on arrival from August 18, allowing vaccinated travelers to reduce their quarantine by one week in the event of of positive result. This means that families who left for France before the introduction of anti-body tests in Hong Kong will be able to count on a positive test and shorten the mandatory quarantine period by one week. This implementation had been postponed by the Hong Kong government in view of the rapid spread of the variants at the beginning of July. It therefore seems that more flexibility is now in order and that whole families can return to their homes more quickly.

Strengthened testing for travelers entering Hong Kong

All incoming travelers are required to comply with new requirements for boarding, quarantine and repeat testing. The government will strengthen control and carry out mandatory screening under penalty of legal action in the event of non-compliance.

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The government will at the same time strengthen screening measures for staff at the airport, accredited quarantine hotels and designated transport to these hotels, requiring staff to be vaccinated and undergo regular testing. The procedures for entry of persons exempted from quarantine have also been reviewed, the consulates general will have to comply with the conditions of exemption.

Reclassification of countries into 3 groups in Hong Kong

A revision of Hong Kong entry rules and a reclassification of country risk levels will take effect in 6 days, from five group levels at three. This would allow vaccinated residents as well as domestic staff stranded abroad to return, but also foreign businessmen who were waiting to return to Hong Kong to do so.

In addition, this would mean that the flight bans on certain countries could be lifted. Only fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents are allowed to board flights to Hong Kong from high-risk destinations. Hong Kong residents and non-residents from medium-risk countries who have completed their vaccination cycle will be allowed to board to Hong Kong.

New group A : high risk (regroups group A1 " Extremely high risk " and A2 " Very high risk ")

Hong Kong residents who have been in a country in this Group A for more than two hours on the day of embarkation or in the previous 21 days will be permitted to board a flight to Hong Kong:

Travelers from Group A countries will need to:

New group B: medium risk (combines group B "High risk" and C "Medium risk")

All countries, except China (Macau and Taiwan), that do not belong to the new group A or group C will be grouped in this group B.

Travelers (resident of Hong Kong or not) coming from these countries, and who have not stayed in a Group A country during the period concerned, will have to undergo a mandatory quarantine for 21 days in a hotel accredited to the quarantine and do 4 tests during mandatory quarantine.

All vaccinated travelers who present a recognized vaccination card on boarding will benefit from a quarantine shortened to 14 days in an accredited quarantine hotel. These people will be required to pass 3 tests during the mandatory quarantine, continue self-monitoring for the next 7 days, and undergo mandatory testing on the 16th and 19th days after arrival in Hong Kong.

Vaccinated persons presenting a positive serological antibody test issued by a laboratory accredited by Hong Kong within the last three months and justifying their vaccination on boarding will benefit from a quarantine shortened to 7 days in an accredited hotel at quarantine. These people will be required to take 2 tests during the mandatory quarantine, continue self-monitoring for the next 7 days, and undergo mandatory testing on the 9th, 12th, 16th and 19th days after arrival in Hong Kong.

New group C: low risk replaces the previous group D "Low risk"

All incoming travelers who have stayed in a Group C country during the relevant period will be required to quarantine for 14 days in a quarantine-accredited hotel. They will be required to take 2 tests during the mandatory quarantine, continue self-monitoring for the next 7 days, and undergo mandatory testing on the 16th and 19th days after arrival in Hong Kong.

Vaccinated travelers presenting a vaccination card at boarding will be allowed to quarantine for 7 days in an accredited quarantine hotel. They will have to submit to 2 tests during the mandatory quarantine, continue self-monitoring during the following 7 days and submit to mandatory tests on the 9th and 12th days after arrival in Hong Kong.

For reference, you can access the government site.

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