Entry requirement to Hong Kong from the US

Before boarding the flight, travelers from the US are required to present test report, in English or Chinese, showing a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test administered within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure. They are required to present documentary proof in English to show that the laboratory or healthcare institution is recognized/ approved/ ISO15189 accredited. Recognized laboratories in the US may be located via: https://qcor.cms.gov/main.jsp (please click on “CLIA Laboratory Lookup” in the left-hand column) or on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/clia/LabSearch.html and print out the relevant record from the database. A relevant letter issued by the New York State Department of Health is attached for reference. All travelers arriving in Hong Kong from countries outside China are required to undergo 21-day compulsory quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel. They will have to take designated transport to travel from the airport to the designated quarantine hotels. Please note that until further notice, only Hong Kong residents will be permitted to enter Hong Kong. The relevant specifications will remain effective until further notice. Details here.

Hong Kong's latest response to COVID-19

Get timely information on how Hong Kong is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, including quarantine arrangements, social distancing measures, public safety, public health and other issues. Details here.

Join Our Virtual Chinese New Year Celebration

While traditional in-person celebrations have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, we invite you to visit our dedicated platform Celebrating the Year of the Ox 2021 to mark the season with a selection of performances, explorations and cultural traditions.

Experience Hong Kong’s arts and culture scene from the comfort of your home

Through a newly created webpage, we hope to bring you some of Hong Kong’s best and diverse arts and cultural programs for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home. We will showcase Hong Kong's vibrant arts and cultural scene though webinar discussions, performances, art exhibitions and many other collaborations. Details here.

Hong Kong films to premiere in Chicago

Five films from emerging Hong Kong film directors will be featured at the upcoming Asian Pop-Up Cinema (APUC) Season 12 from March 15 - May 1. Kicking off the “Made in Hong Kong” series are two films that will be streamed online: Documentary “Keep Rolling”, directed by Lim-chung Man, which offers an up-close look at the life and works of acclaimed film director Ann Hui; and “Elisa’s Day”, the first feature film directed by Alan Fung. Three Hong Kong films will be shown at the drive-in in Lincoln Yards: the Centerpiece screening of “One Second Champion” by Sin-hang Chiu, “I Still Remember” by Lik Ho and the Closing Night quirky rom-com “Ready O/R Knot”, from first time director Anselm Chan. More information and ticketing information can be found here.

Chief Executive attends Boao Forum

Apr 20, 2021 - Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 in Hainan and held a number of bilateral meetings. Speaking at a session on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Mrs Lam highlighted Hong Kong's unique advantages under "One Country, Two Systems" and the city's top-notch capabilities in scientific research. Coupled with the advanced manufacturing technology of the GBA cities in the Mainland, Hong Kong can promote the development of an international I&T hub in the GBA together with other cities. Hong Kong can also serve as a talent base in the GBA, leveraging its metropolitan status and attractiveness to entice overseas talents to work in the GBA, thereby enhancing the flow of talents. Details here.

Flight landing ban set

Apr 18, 2021 - Hong Kong invoked the place-specific flight suspension mechanism for India, Pakistan and the Philippines. Starting midnight of Apr 20 (Hong Kong time), all passenger flights from these places will be prohibited from landing in Hong Kong for 14 days. These places will also be specified as extremely high-risk places to restrict people who have stayed there from boarding for Hong Kong. Separately, a flight-specific suspension mechanism to prohibit the landing of flights in Hong Kong operated by two airlines from Manila and Mumbai, respectively, from Apr 19 – May 2. Details here.

Rights and freedoms protected under Basic Law respected

Apr 17, 2021 - The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) always respects and attaches great importance to the rights and freedoms (including the freedoms of assembly, of procession and of demonstration) protected under the Basic Law, said the Department of Justice in a statement today. However, it should be noted that such rights and freedoms are not absolute and may be subject to restrictions which are, amongst others, in the interests of public order and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. Details here.

Hong Kong talent to flourish in Belt-Road

Apr 16, 2021 - Hong Kong has much to look forward to in the Belt and Road Initiative, thanks to its "One Country, Two Systems" framework and deepening economic integration with the Mainland, said Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Delivering remarks at a forum today, Mrs Lam said the 14th Five-Year Plan supports the continuing enhancement of Hong Kong's status as an international hub for finance, trade and logistic; as a center for innovation and technology; and as an East-meets-West hub for art and cultural exchange. Hong Kong's singular advantages have placed it in the enviable role of facilitator and promoter between China and the countries of the Belt and Road, she said, adding that Hong Kong has the talent and the experience to flourish in the Belt and Road's continuing progress as well as in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Details here.

Children's smart ID replacement set

Apr 16, 2021 - Children born in 2005 to 2007 or 2012 to 2018 and holding the old form of smart identity cards should apply for a new card from May 3 to Sep 18, the Immigration Department announced today. They should go to the Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres to replace their identity cards with their parents or legal guardians. Those born between 2012 and 2018 who have never held a permanent identity card in connection with their applications for a Hong Kong SAR passport are not required to participate in the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise. Appointments can be made online, on the department’s mobile application or by calling the 24-hour hotline (+1-852-2121-1234). For citizens born in 1970, 1971 or 1972, their identity card replacement period will end on April 30. Residents who are absent from Hong Kong during their call-up period can apply within 30 days of their return to the city. Details here.

Vaccination program expanded

Apr 15, 2021 - Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip today announced the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will be expanded to cover people aged 16 to 29 and the community vaccination centers (CVCs) are expected to operate until the end of September. Mr Nip told reporters that the move was made after taking into account the supply of the vaccines and the programme's operation. The minimum age for receiving the BioNTech vaccine is 16 and that for receiving the Sinovac vaccine is 18. The planning for operating the CVCs until the end of September, takes into consideration the BioNTech vaccine supply and storage limitations as well as the vaccination rate. People wishing to receive the BioNTech vaccine have to get the first dose by the end of August to complete the vaccination of two doses by the end of September. The CVCs which administer the Sinovac vaccine are also expected to operate up to the end of September. As the Sinovac vaccine can be stored for a longer period, the Government will continue to provide Sinovac vaccination services through more than 1,600 private doctors participating in the program and the 18 general out-patient clinics of the HA. Details here.

Boarding, quarantine rules adjusted

Apr 14, 2021 - The Hong Kong SAR Government today announced that it will adjust boarding and quarantine arrangements for people arriving from overseas places, tightening commercial flight suspension mechanism to address the risk of importation of mutant strains of COVID-19 from very high-risk places and shortening the quarantine period for fully vaccinated people arriving from places overseas that are not considered high risk on the basis of the vaccine bubble. Regarding quarantine arrangements for fully vaccinated people, the Government will supplement new arrangements applicable to such individuals and shorten the compulsory quarantine period from 21 days to 14 days under the “vaccine bubble” concept. For low-risk specified places, such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, the compulsory quarantine period for fully vaccinated people will be shortened from 14 days to seven days. The Government will announce the adjusted arrangement and exact grouping of places after finalizing the details. Such arrangements will be gazetted in late April or early May. Details here.

Rules for vaccinated staff relaxed

Apr 14, 2021 - The Hong Kong SAR Government today announced its decision to maintain the current social distancing measures and specified that premises' staff who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course will not be required to undergo regular testing. Noting that the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has been smoothly implemented for a while, the Food and Health Bureau said some staff of the catering business premises or scheduled premises have completed the vaccination course, ie after 14 days following the administration of two vaccine doses for production of antibodies. In view of the protection brought by the vaccination, the relevant staff will not need to undergo regular testing starting from the 14th day upon completion of a COVID-19 vaccination course. These staff are advised to keep their records as a proof of vaccination. Such measures will take effect on Apr 15 until Apr 28. If the epidemic situation remains stable, starting from Apr 29, in line with the new direction in fighting the pandemic as announced by the Chief Executive earlier, the Government will adjust social distancing measures with a "vaccine bubble" as the basis. Details here.

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