Updated information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccines1. Full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and Mainland
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced that, upon deliberation and co-ordination with the Central Government, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government, normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland fully resumed starting from February 6. The arrangements concerned include opening up all boundary control points (BCPs) without imposing any prescribed daily numbers of people thereon; cancelling the pre-departure nucleic acid test requirement; and enabling cross-boundary students to resume face-to-face classes in an orderly manner.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202302/03/P2023020300649.htm2. Testing requirements for inbound persons coming to Hong Kong from places around world upon full resumption of normal travel with Mainland
The Government announced that the normal travel of persons between Hong Kong and the Mainland is fully resumed starting from February 6. All pre-departure testing requirements for travelling between the two places are also be lifted at the same time. Except for persons who have stayed in overseas places or Taiwan on the day of entering the Mainland or during the seven days before that day, other cross-boundary travellers are not be required to conduct any pre-departure test for travelling between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. Meanwhile, the pre-departure testing requirement for inbound persons from overseas places or Taiwan is maintained at this juncture.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202302/03/P2023020300627.htm3. Government lifts vaccination requirement for non-Hong Kong residents arriving from overseas places
The Government announced that the requirement for non-Hong Kong residents to be fully vaccinated for coming to Hong Kong from overseas places is lifted starting from February 6. However, the pre-departure testing requirement for inbound persons from overseas places or Taiwan is maintained for the time being.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202302/03/P2023020300618.htm4. Government reminds public of cancellation of issuing isolation orders from January 30 onwards
The Government reminded members of the public that, starting from January 30, the compulsory isolation arrangement for infected persons will be cancelled and the Health Officer will no longer issue isolation orders to infected persons according to the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A). All persons tested positive (including by nucleic acid and rapid antigen tests (RATs)) are not required to report and provide personal particulars via the online platforms of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH). They should take the advice on various health measures against respiratory infection diseases. As regards the monitoring of the epidemic and the disseminating of related information, the CHP will upload onto the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" every day the number of specimens that tested positive by nucleic acid tests as well as the number of death cases because of COVID-19 infection in lieu of the current practice of issuing press releases.
Apart from that, the Government will adjust the scope of target groups for free nucleic acid testing services at community testing centres/stations, including the termination of free testing provided for persons undergoing voluntary testing at appropriate times according to the situation, so as to focus resources on protecting high-risk premises and groups in need of regular nucleic acid testing.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/27/P2023012700497.htm5. HAD "StayHomeSafe" hotline and Home Support Supplies Delivery Service to cease operation
The Home Affairs Department announced that as the Government ceased to issue isolation orders to infected persons, the "StayHomeSafe" hotline (1833 019) has ceased to accept requests for basic daily necessities and food from infected persons starting from January 30. The hotline has ceased operation starting from 11pm on February 5.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/27/P2023012600389.htm6. Hospital Authority general out-patient clinics provide support to COVID-19 patients
The 71 general out-patient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority (HA) resumed normal service. GOPCs have strengthened their service and more than 2 000 quotas are reserved for COVID-19 patients daily.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/30/P2023013000545.htm7. SCS: Get timely COVID-19 vaccination in new phase of epidemic response
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said that as Hong Kong has entered a new phase of epidemic response, the society is resuming normalcy in full swing. Members of the public, in particular the elderly, young children and immunocompromised persons who are at a higher risk, should receive suitable doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on time to gain protection conferred by the vaccine, safeguarding the health of their own and their families proactively.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/30/P2023013000221.htm8. One-off ex-gratia cash allowance for locally confirmed COVID-19 patients to stop accepting applications
Following the Government's lifting of isolation orders for infected persons according to the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) from January 30, the Social Welfare Department will no longer accept applications for the one-off ex-gratia cash allowance for locally confirmed COVID-19 patients starting from February 14. Applications submitted on or before February 13 will not be affected.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/30/P2023013000214.htmMore information on COVID-19 vaccines:
https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/We would like to solicit your support to disseminate the information to your colleagues, work associates and/or business partners so that they could adopt proper preventive measures. Thank you very much for your support.
Department of Health
