The Government today announced the mechanism for The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKUSZH) and Hong Kong enterprises providing medical or dental services on the Mainland to apply for exemption from the compulsory quarantine arrangement.

In accordance with the 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 more categories of people from the quarantine arrangement, including up to 50 people employed and authorised by HKUSZH.

They also include owners of a Hong Kong enterprise with a valid Hong Kong Service Supplier Certificate in relation to the provision of medical and dental services on the Mainland under the Mainland & Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and up to one person employed and authorised by the enterprise, or up to two people employed and authorised by such an enterprise.

An exempted person must take a COVID-19 nucleic acid test at HKUSZH within seven days before entry to Hong Kong and present a valid certificate of a negative test result to authorised officers at the control points.

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

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.