The Government today announced that people conducting audit services or enterprises providing construction-related services on the Mainland can apply for an exemption from the compulsory quarantine arrangement. 

In accordance with the amended Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation, the Chief Secretary may designate any person or category of people for exemption from quarantine if their travelling is necessary for purposes relating to manufacturing operations in the interest of Hong Kong's economic development.

The Chief Secretary has exempted two more categories of people from the quarantine arrangement.

They include certified public accountants, partners, directors or employees of practice units registered with the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants, who are required to travel to the Mainland to conduct audit work for companies listed on a recognised stock market and having Mainland operations.

The other category is owners of enterprises with a valid business registration certificate and with provision of construction-related professional services on the Mainland and up to one person employed and authorised by the enterprise, as well as up to two people employed and authorised by such an enterprise.

An exempted person must only travel to and stay in the Mainland area or city where the professional services are provided, and must take every precautionary measure to ensure personal hygiene and avoid unnecessary social contact whilst there.

After returning to Hong Kong, the exempted person will be subject to medical surveillance arranged by the Department of Health for a period of 14 days.

Currently, travellers to the Mainland would still be subject to the 14-day compulsory quarantine requirement imposed by Mainland authorities.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is discussing with Mainland authorities the mutual recognition of COVID-19 testing results conducted by recognised medical laboratories, with a view to exempting the quarantine requirement for Hong Kong travellers to the Mainland.