Hong Kong extends entry ban to recent visitors to various countries due to COVID-19 concerns

​In a series of announcements the Government of Hong Kong declared that non-Hong Kong residents shall not be permitted entry to the city if they have visited any of a variety of further countries within 21 days. Cape Verde, Niger, South Sudan, Grenada, Mauritania and Mayotte, Iraq, Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Laos, Mongolia and the Solomon Islands have all been added to the Group A list of high risk places in January 2022.

Seafarers are not exempted for Group A list of countries unless they are Hong Kong residents.

Hong Kong residents who have visited these countries within 21 days will only be permitted to fly to Hong Kong if they have been fully vaccinated and hold a recognised COVID-19 jab record. They must then undergo a 21 day quarantine in a designated quarantine hotel on arrival. During the quarantine period six virus tests must be conducted and, on the 26th day of arrival in Hong Kong, they must also undergo compulsory testing in a community testing centre.

The extension of restrictions has been implemented as a result of the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The Government is updating the city’s Prevention & Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances & Travellers) Regulation to reflect these changes.  

Members should take note of these restrictions and plan their crew change operations accordingly.

Category: COVID-19