Shorter quarantine proposed

June 9, 2021

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Ronald Lam:
Currently, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is adopting one of the most stringent border control measures in the world. First of all, all the arrivals need to undertake the test-and-hold (arrangement). They have to test negative. And also under closed-loop management, they have to go to designated hotels for quarantine for up to 21 days under (Hong Kong Laws) Cap 599H. The current recommendations apply only to those who have completed the full course of COVID-19 vaccination. The measures we talk about, the so-called shortened quarantine period for those vaccinated travellers, are in response to the scientific evidence. But even so, they have to undergo self-monitoring as well and plus, we also impose multiple testing during their quarantine period.

The two scientific committees under the Centre for Health Protection met today and put forward recommendations on quarantine measures imposed on travellers to Hong Kong.

The centre’s Controller Dr Ronald Lam told reporters after their meeting that the committees recommended shortening the quarantine period for inbound travellers to seven days if they fulfilled the relevant requirements.

Based on the recommendations, passengers arriving from non-high risk areas who have completed two doses of COVID-19 vaccination for at least 14 days and test positive to COVID-19 antibodies on arrival may be eligible to undergo seven days of quarantine at designated hotels, followed by a seven-day self-monitoring period.

Dr Lam said: “The current recommendations apply only to those who have completed the full course of COVID-19 vaccination.

“We also impose multiple testing during their quarantine period.”

Quarantine requirements for inbound travellers currently in force are set out on the Government’s webpage.