Entry requirement to Hong Kong from the US

Starting at 0.00 a.m., August 10, 2020, the relevant conditions for Hong Kong residents travelling from the US to Hong Kong have been simplified. Before boarding the flight, relevant travellers 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. The traveller is also 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) 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. The travellers are also required to show confirmation that they have booked a hotel for at least two weeks and will be quarantined at the hotel upon arrival. 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.

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.

Social distancing measures further relaxed

Oct 27, 2020 - Social distancing measures in Hong Kong will be further relaxed from Oct 30, with dine-in services at all catering business premises extended until 2 am. The maximum number of people allowed to be seated together at one table in restaurants will increase from four to six while the limit for bars and pubs will rise from two to four. Live performances and dancing activities will be allowed to take place in catering business premises and clubs and nightclubs, subject to the implementation of suitable infection prevention and control measures. Members of the public are not required to wear masks when doing exercise in indoor sports premises or public skating rinks. The capacity limit in catering business premises including bars and pubs, public entertainment venues such as theme parks, performance venues, nightclubs and swimming pools will be increased from 50% to 75%. Public beaches will reopen on Nov 3. Unless exempted, the prohibition on group gatherings of more than four people in public places will continue while mandatory mask-wearing on public transport and in all public places will remain in effect. Details here.

September exports grew 9.1%

Oct 27, 2020 - The value of Hong Kong’s total exports increased to US$48.6 billion in September, up 9.1% year-on-year, after a year-on-year decrease of 2.3% in August 2020. The value of imports of goods rose 3.4% to US$50.2 billion year-on-year in the same month. A trade deficit of US$1.6 billion, or 3.2% of the value of imports, was recorded for the period. Comparing September 2020 with September 2019, the value of total exports to the US grew 5.7% while the value of imports from the US fell 21.6%. Details here.

Commitment to medical research

Oct 21, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to supporting research on a wide spectrum of health issues with a view to safeguarding public health and curing diseases. Speaking at the HKU-Pasteur Research Pole 20th Anniversary Opening Symposium today, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the tripartite partnership with academia and industry will create an open platform for multi-sectoral collaboration and facilitate the translation of biomedical innovations into commercial value and industrial impact. It will also contribute to Hong Kong's transformation into an international innovation and technology hub, which is key to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. "Our commitment to medical research is also clearly evident in the Government's efforts to combat COVID-19," said Mrs Lam, citing the allocation of nearly US$35 million under the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Food and Health Bureau in support of some 50 COVID-19 research studies. Separately, the Innovation and Technology Fund is supporting nearly 60 trial projects focused on detection, diagnosis and surveillance of the COVID-19 virus. Details here.

Hong Kong FinTech Week goes virtual in November

Oct 21, 2020 - Hong Kong FinTech Week 2020 will take place virtually from Nov 2-6 to allow global fintech businesses and experts from around the world to participate. Themed "Humanising FinTech", the week-long event will explore how fintech can unlock the power of financial services to drive positive impacts for society and business. The event will comprise five channels, focusing on the resilience and development of Hong Kong and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, future fintech trends and finance sector growth opportunities. It will also provide a reinvented virtual event experience with artificial intelligence-powered matchmaking, live chat networking opportunities and Hong Kong cultural side events. Co-organized by InvestHK, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission and the Insurance Authority, Hong Kong FinTech Week is expected to attract more than 25,000 participants from over 70 economies and 350 speakers, along with more than 500 exhibitors and over 30 delegations. Details here.

Social distancing measures to be relaxed

Oct 20, 2020 - Several social distancing measures in Hong Kong will be relaxed on Oct 23, including the lifting of restrictions on the number of people allowed at wedding ceremonies. The maximum number of people allowed at wedding ceremonies, at which no food or drink is served, will increase from 20 to 50. The maximum number of people in a room or partitioned area at a meeting held in accordance with any ordinance or other regulatory instrument that governs an organization's operation or its business including a listed company's shareholders’ meeting, at which no food or drink is served, will also increase from 20 to 50. The Hong Kong SAR Government made the decision after taking into account the latest public health risk assessment of the COVID-19 epidemic and striking a balance with economic needs and society's level of acceptance. Other social distancing measures currently in force continue to remain in effect. They include the prohibition on gatherings of more than four people in public places and the mandatory mask-wearing requirement when boarding or onboard a public transport carrier, entering or present in an MTR paid area, as well as entering or present in a specified public place. Details here.

Unemployment rate rises to 6.4%

Oct 20, 2020 - The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in the period between July and September. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8% during the period. Total employment decreased by 15,600 to 3,624,800 while the labor force fell by 4,200 to 3,884,600. Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said the labor market deteriorated for the third quarter as a whole amid the third wave of the local epidemic. However, there were signs of stabilization towards the end of the quarter as the local epidemic situation abated in September and the Employment Support Scheme continued to provide support. Looking ahead, Dr Law said as the overall economic situation remains weak and the global pandemic is still evolving, the labor market will remain under pressure in the near term. Details here.

Hong Kong to be part of "dual engine of growth"

Oct 20, 2020 - Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said she will promote Hong Kong's interests, and aims to have Hong Kong and Shenzhen be a dual engine for growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. "That is my strategy to help Hong Kong's economy, not only to recover, but to prosper in the coming years," she said. Speaking ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam clarified that her earlier remarks that Shenzhen’s GDP had exceeded that of Hong Kong’s was taken out of context. "Shenzhen has been developing very well, so to have a higher GDP is only natural, but of course, in terms of per capita GDP, Hong Kong still is higher than Shenzhen," she said. Mrs Lam added that she will promote and fight for Hong Kong's interest both within the Mainland and globally. Details here.

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