The Government announced today that the boarding and quarantine requirements for people arriving from Argentina, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Singapore will be tightened from May 21.

The decision was made upon closely monitoring the epidemic developments in these places and the case importation risks they may pose to Hong Kong.

The Government will specify the above seven places as high-risk Group B specified places from May 21.

All people who have stayed in the relevant places on the day of boarding or during the 14 days before that day, will have to present at boarding a negative result proof of a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 conducted within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft.

They must also present confirmation of a room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel in Hong Kong.

On arrival, 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 the designated transport arranged by the Government to proceed to the designated quarantine hotels for compulsory quarantine.

People arriving in Hong Kong who have stayed in the relevant places and who are yet to be fully vaccinated will be subject to a 21-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with four tests to be conducted during the period.

Those arriving who have stayed in the relevant places and who have been fully vaccinated will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with three tests to be conducted during the period.

This will be followed by a seven-day self-monitoring period as well as compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th day of arrival in Hong Kong.

In accordance with the requirements applicable to Group B and Group C specified places, non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in the above mentioned places will be denied entry into Hong Kong.

The Government will gazette the relevant updated specifications under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances & Travellers) Regulation.