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://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/CLIA/CLIA_Laboratory_Demographic_Information 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.

Public Health Response Plan Activated

Hong Kong health authorities continue to monitor developments regarding the emergence of an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. A dedicated webpage has been set up to provide relevant information and health advice. Details here.

Sixth-term LegCo to continue to discharge duties

Aug 11, 2020 - The sixth term LegCo of the Hong Kong SAR will continue to discharge its duties for no less than one year until the commencement of the seventh-term LegCo. The decision by the Standing Committee of the National People's Committee also stated clearly the seventh-term LegCo of the Hong Kong SAR will have a term of four years after it has been formed in accordance with the law. The Hong Kong SAR Government announced on July 31 the postponement of the 2020 Legislative Council election, originally scheduled for Sep 6, for a year, due to the severe COVID-19 epidemic situation, public safety and public health as well as to ensure the election can be conducted openly and fairly. Details here.

US-bound Hong Kong goods rule opposed

Aug 11, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government strongly objects to the notice published today on the US Federal Register by the Customs and Border Protection in relation to origin marking of Hong Kong products. "The new rule on origin marking of Hong Kong products originates from the US President's Executive Order issued on July 14 and reflects that the US ignores Hong Kong's status as a separate member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The rule may not be consistent with WTO rules, and it will also not help protect consumers' interest. In fact, it will only cause confusion and affect the interests of all parties, including the US," said the Government spokesman. "The special status as a separate customs territory enjoyed by the HKSAR under 'One Country, Two Systems' is conferred by the Constitution of the PRC and the Basic Law. It is recognized by multilateral organizations such as the WTO, and is not granted or revocable by an individual country." Details here.

Social distancing measures extended

Aug 10, 2020 - In view of the severe COVID-19 situation, with a high risk of a large-scale community outbreak, Hong Kong is extending existing social distancing measures until Aug 18. Restaurants, except those granted exemptions, must cease providing dine-in service from 6pm to 4:59am of the subsequent day. They may offer takeaway services and deliveries during this period. The number of customers at catering premises at any one time must not exceed 50% of the normal seating capacity. Each table can accommodate no more than two customers and tables must be arranged with a distance of at least 1.5 meters or with partitions. Bars, pubs and scheduled premises should also remain closed. Group gatherings of more than two people are prohibited and mandatory mask-wearing in public places will continue to take effect. The public is urged to stay at home as much as possible, go out less often unless necessary, and avoid dining out and unnecessary social activities. Details here.

Program to boost fintech development

Aug 10, 2020 - Invest Hong Kong unveiled the Global Fast Track Programme to help local and global fintech enterprises leverage Hong Kong's proven resilience and fintech opportunities to scale business and accelerate innovation. The program, part of Asia's flagship Hong Kong Fintech Week (Nov 2-6), plugs fintech enterprises directly into the city's diverse ecosystem of world-class regulators, business leaders, corporates and investors. Companies from nine key fintech verticals (trade finance, capital markets, retail banking, commercial banking, insurance, regtech, wealthtech, payments and enterprise resource planning) are invited to submit applications from now till Aug 31. About 10 companies per vertical with the most outstanding ideas will showcase their solutions for an opportunity to join an extensive tailored B2B matchmaking program with the Corporate Champions and investors to explore further deals and investment partnerships. Over 10 selected finalists will then pitch virtually at the FintechHK Global Final for extra prizes at this year's Fintech Week. Details here.

Universal COVID-19 testing set

Aug 7, 2020 - Hong Kong will introduce a universal and voluntary COVID-19 testing program that is available free-of-charge to all Hong Kong citizens. The program, scheduled to be launched in two weeks' time, aims to identify infected persons early, particularly those who are asymptomatic. The personal information provided by members of the public who voluntarily participate in testing will be encrypted and stored in the servers of the Government's data centres.  They will not be transferred beyond the boundary of Hong Kong.  The testing services providers will only have access to the barcode of the specimen bottle for reporting the test result to the Hong Kong SAR Government.  They will not have access to the personal data of individual members of the public. The collection and use of any personal data for the purpose of above-mentioned testing shall comply with the provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Details here.

28 million masks distributed to the public

Aug 7, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government has distributed about 28 million disposable adult masks to about 2.8 million residential addresses in Hong Kong in the past month, with each household receiving 10 masks. The masks distributed are the first batch procured by the Government under the Local Mask Production Subsidy Scheme, reflecting the Government's aim to share these masks with the public as part of city's collective fight against the virus. Details here.

Foreign currency reserves at US$450 billion

Aug 7, 2020 - Hong Kong's official foreign currency reserve assets amounted to US$450 billion as at the end of July 2020, compared with US$445.9 billion at end-June 2020. Including unsettled foreign exchange contracts, the foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong at the end of July 2020 amounted to US$449.9 billion, compared with US$444.8 billion at end-June 2020. The total foreign currency reserve assets of US$450.0 billion represent over six times the currency in circulation or about 46 per cent of Hong Kong dollar M3. Details here.

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