SAR Gazettes New Measures For High Risk Arrivals

The SAR on Saturday gazetted new measures against imported cases of Covid-19 with people who have visited areas deemed high risk having to provide detailed proof that they don't have the disease.

In a statement released in the early hours of the morning, the government said it acted after becoming concerned about the high number of imported cases between June 20 and July 17, which totalled 234.

From next Saturday, anyone who has visited Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines or South Africa in the past 14 days will need to provide documentary proof from a healthcare institution of a negative Covid-19 nucleic acid test result, with the sample taken in the past 72 hours. Authorities in the country concerned will also have to verify the institution by letter.

Original test results, with name and passport number included, will also be needed as will proof of a 14-day hotel booking in Hong Kong for quarantine purposes.

The operator of the aircraft must also confirm to the Department of Health that all the required documents were checked prior to check-in.

Any traveller who knowingly provides false information faces a fine of HK$10,000 and six months in prison, the statement said.

Upon landing, arrivals will still need to be tested again. If their test results are negative, they will be allowed to go to the hotel for which they made the reservation to continue the 14-day compulsory quarantine until completion.