The Government today announced that the quarantine and testing requirements for people arriving from Taiwan will be further tightened from May 17.

It made the decision due to the worsening COVID-19 epidemic situation in Taiwan with a rising number of confirmed cases.

People who have stayed in Taiwan on the day of boarding or during the 14 days before that day have to present at boarding proof of a negative nucleic acid test result conducted within 72 hours before the flight's scheduled departure time, as well as the confirmation of a room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong.

Upon arrival in Hong Kong, they will be subject to the test-and-hold arrangement at the airport, and on confirmation of negative test results, they will be required to board designated transport arranged by the Government to proceed to the designated quarantine hotels for compulsory quarantine.

Non-Hong Kong residents will be denied entry, the Government emphasised.

People who are not fully vaccinated will be subject to a 21-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels and undergo four tests during the period.

Those fully vaccinated will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels and undergo three tests during the period, followed by seven days of self-monitoring as well as compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th day of their arrival.

The Government said it has been closely monitoring the epidemic situation of various places, the prevalence of new virus variants, vaccination progress and changes in the volume of cross-boundary passenger traffic.

It added that it will adjust the boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements for people arriving in Hong Kong as the situation warrants.