Hong Kong adjusts anti-epidemic rules for air passengers and air crew

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No more temperature screening for outbound passengers and transit air passengers, no more "test-and-hold" for persons arriving from the Mainland and Macao, and no quarantine for air crew.

As some overseas places have started to streamline their inbound anti-epidemic measures, the HKSAR government has also announced adjustments in the rules for air passengers and air crew.

From 10 September 2022 (Saturday), outbound passengers and transit passengers departing for overseas places or Taiwan via the Hong Kong International Airport are no longer required to go through temperature screening. However, temperature screening arrangements remain in place for inbound passengers entering Hong Kong, as well as departing passengers bound for the Mainland or Macao.

The spokesperson reminded the public that symptomatic persons should avoid travelling and putting themselves and others at risk. "Passengers who feel sick during transit in Hong Kong can contact the DH (Department of Health) through the airline or the Airport Authority Hong Kong. DH's staff will conduct health assessment for them and determine whether referral to hospital for further management is necessary," added the spokesperson.

On the other hand, from 3 September 2022 (Saturday), persons arriving at Hong Kong from the Mainland or Macao via the airport are no longer required to undergo the "test-and-hold" arrangement. This in a bid to align the testing arrangements for relevant persons arriving at Hong Kong via the airport and land boundary control points. 

All persons arriving from the Mainland and Macao must undergo compulsory nucleic acid testing on day two upon their arrival at Hong Kong, in alignment with the arrangement for persons arriving at Hong Kong from overseas places or Taiwan who are required to undergo nucleic acid test in designated quarantine hotels on day two upon arrival at Hong Kong. This arrangement is applicable to persons who have to undergo compulsory quarantine at home, as well as those arriving at Hong Kong under the Return2hk or Come2hk schemes.

Also, in order to effectively facilitate airlines to enhance flight services between Hong Kong and other parts of the world, the government has adjusted the quarantine arrangements for air crew. 

As such, from 10 September 2022 (Saturday), locally based air crew performing duties on passenger flights to/from overseas places or Taiwan are required to undergo a "test and hold" arrangement upon their arrival at Hong Kong International Airport. They may leave the airport after obtaining a negative result of the nucleic acid test. The arrangements are consistent with the prevailing arrangements applicable to locally based cargo crew.

The government said all locally based air crew members shall continue to comply with the closed-loop arrangements during their layover at outports in order to avoid contact with the community in those places. The will also continue to be subject to medical surveillance and regular testing after returning to Hong Kong. Airlines will be held responsible for exercising due diligence in compliance monitoring.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong shortens hotel quarantine to three days for arrivals starting from 12 August 2022

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