Quarantine, Testing Requirements Changed for HK-Bound Travellers From the Mainland, Macao, Taiwan

The Hong Kong government has adjusted the quarantine and testing requirements for those arriving at Hong Kong from the Mainland, Macao, and Taiwan.

From Feb. 5, travellers who arrive at Hong Kong on or after Jan. 18 and have only stayed in the Mainland or Macao two weeks prior will be subjected to compulsory COVID-19 testing on the third, fifth, and 12th days of their arrival, with the testing on the 12th to be done in a community testing centre (CTC). According to a government press release on Jan. 31, this scheme applies to travellers who arrive at Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme and Come2hk Scheme and are exempted from compulsory quarantine. It is also applicable to those who have been fully vaccinated and are subject to compulsory quarantine for seven days, and those not yet vaccinated and subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days.

For inbound travellers from Taiwan, the compulsory quarantine period will be adjusted to 14 days in designated quarantine hotels (DQHs). This shall be followed by a self-monitoring period lasting seven days.

Failure to comply with the testing notice warrants an offence and a fixed fine of HK$5,000. Violators will also be served a compulsory testing order to which they have to comply within a given timeframe; failure thereof is an offence and warrants a level 4 fine worth HK$25,000 and imprisonment for six months.