Latest Cycle of Designated Quarantine Hotels to Run Until Oct. 31

The current round-up of hotels under the Designated Quarantine Hotel (DQH) scheme runs between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31 and comprises the eighth round of the programme. Having just added EAST Hong Kong hotel in the Eastern district onto the list, the government announced in a press release that the new addition is open for booking starting from Sept. 15.

At present, the full list of quarantine hotels includes up to 62 venues, which roughly translate to 23,600 rooms. Letters have been issued to enlist hotels and guesthouses to join the next cycle, which covers several new contract clauses, including one that allows hotel guests who have tested positive during their stay to remain in isolation on the premises.

This is a step away from the current regulation that requires confirmed cases to be transported to designated isolation hotels or community isolation grounds in Penny’s Bay or Kai Tak. The change was introduced after evaluation of current epidemic levels and is intended to help better allocate resources and manpower in escorting confirmed patients to isolation facilities, as well as reducing transmission rates during the transportation process.

Hotels and guesthouses joining the upcoming ninth cycle of the DQH scheme will be required to improve their infection control measures through action plans such as dedicating certain floors to isolation only, providing protective gear for staff, and installing air purifiers.

The full list of designated quarantine hotels that are part of the eighth cycle of the scheme can be viewed here.