What's On HK
Eat & Drink
Travel
Style
Beauty
Health & Wellness
Home & Decor
Lifestyle
Weddings
Ready to fly out of the city now that Hong Kong hotel quarantine has ended? Here’s what to know about the new “0+3” scheme, testing requirements and more…
After more than two years under the world’s strictest border restrictions, Hong Kong’s mandatory hotel quarantine is finally a thing of the past! In other good news, inbound travellers are no longer required to take a PCR test before departing for Hong Kong, making booking a spontaneous overseas trip even more tempting. Here’s what to know about the new “0+3” scheme, testing requirements and more…
We’ll make sure to keep updating our list with the latest Hong Kong travel rules, so bookmark this page to stay in the know!
Editor’s Note: This article was most recently updated on Monday, 26 September.
Read More: 6 Travel Destinations We Can’t Wait To Visit
Jump To:
What Documents Do I Need To Prepare Before My Flight?
What Happens When I Arrive At The Airport?
Is Hotel Quarantine Still Required?
Where Can You Go During Medical Surveillance?
Testing Arrangements
What Happens If I Test Positive?
Boarding Requirements: What Documents Do I Need To Prepare Before My Flight?
As of 6am on Monday, 26 September, presentation of a negative PCR-based nucleic acid test will no longer be required to board your plane to Hong Kong. You will instead need to present a negative result of a RAT (rapid antigen test) conducted within 24 hours of your scheduled departure. You will be required to declare your test result via the Health & Quarantine Information Declaration.
The Hong Kong boarder is now open to unvaccinated residents, however non-Hong Kong residents aged 12 or above will still need to be fully vaccinated* or have a medical exception certificate before boarding a flight for Hong Kong.
* For the purpose of inbound boarding requirements, non-residents will have to have received two doses of a COVID vaccine at least 14 days before departing for Hong Kong. Those previously infected with COVID-19 will need to have received at least one dose to be considered fully vaccinated.
Head here for a list of Hong Kong government-approved COVID vaccines.
Head here for details on what constitutes a Hong Kong government-approved COVID vaccination record.
What Happens When I Arrive At The Airport?
Under the new “test and go” measure, travellers will not have to wait at the airport for their PCR test results. You may take public transport or self-arranged transport to return to your home or hotel.
On landing, arrivals to Hong Kong will be issued with an Amber QR code, which under the Vaccine Pass rules restricts entry to certain premises. Your Vaccine Pass on the LeaveHomeSafe app should automatically turn from amber to blue at 9am on Day 3, provided your PCR test from Day 1 is negative.
An important note, your arrival day is classified as Day 0. If you land on a Monday, this is your Day 0 and your Vaccine Pass should turn blue Thursday at 9am.
Is Hotel Quarantine Still Required?
No! We’re pleased to say that mandatory hotel quarantine is no longer required for overseas arrivals. Under the new “0+3” scheme, inbound travellers are required to spend three days under home medical surveillance, followed by a four-day self-monitoring period.
Where Can You Go During Medical Surveillance?
During your days of medical surveillance, you can go to get essential groceries, pick up takeaway food and take public transport. You can go to work, but there may be additional restrictions like wearing your mask and taking meal times separately from your colleagues.
You will not be allowed to dine in at restaurants, go to the gym or venues like swimming pools or hair salons, amongst others.
Read More: Your Guide To Online Grocery Stores In Hong Kong
Testing Arrangements
As per the new “3+0” scheme, inbound travellers will need to take PCR tests at community testing centres, mobile testing stations or other recognised institutions on Day 2, Day 4 and Day 6, in addition to the PCR test taken at the airport.
During medical surveillance and self-monitoring periods, you will need to take daily RATs until Day 7 of arrival at Hong Kong.
What Happens If I Test Positive?
If you test positive on a RAT or PCR test, your Vaccine Pass will be converted to a Red Code. Your isolation and discharge arrangements will be the same as for local COVID-19 patients.
Editor’s Note: All information was correct at time of publication.
Main image courtesy of Farshad Rezvanian via Unsplash, image 1 courtesy of Cathay Pacific via Instagram, image 2 courtesy of Photo by visionart.av via Pexels.
