Hong Kong designates over 50 countries as high-risk, including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, owing to Omicron

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As the Omicron COVID-19 variant continues to be found in more countries around the world, Hong Kong has classified more destinations as high-risk.

Hong Kong, still with some of the strictest quarantine and border restrictions in the world, continue to tighten regulations for countries that have detected Omicron. The SAR has now named more than four dozen countries to its group A (high-risk) categorisation, with 12 African nations falling under 'Specified Places For Enhanced Quarantine & Surveillance Measures on Omicron Variant'. 

As reports emerge worldwide of the prevalence of Omicron, exactly who is on Hong Kong's high-risk list and what does it mean?

The following countries/territories are also expected to be added to the list:

From 00.00am on 12 December: Estonia and Uganda
From 00.00am on 13 December: Cuba, Kuwait, and Liechtenstein
From 00.00am on 14 December: Cyprus, Jordan, and Lebanon
From 00.00am on 15 December: Mauritius and Sierra Leone

Only those who are Hong Kong residents and are fully vaccinated or hold a recognised vaccination record would be allowed to enter Hong Kong from the listed high-risk nations.

They must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight, and quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel for 21 days where they will undergo six more COVID-19 tests.

Upon the completion of their quarantine period, they are required to self-monitor for seven days and undergo a last compulsory PCR test on the 26^th day of their arrival.

For incoming travellers from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, they will be subject to the same rules and requirements as the above-mentioned countries. However, their first seven days of quarantine will be done at Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre (PBQC) where they will undergo daily testing and monitoring by the Government's healthcare professionals.

From 00.00am on 13 December, incoming travellers from the United States of America will also be added to this list, whereby their first seven days of quarantine will be held at PBQC.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong launches health code to follow for quarantine-free travel with the Mainland and Macau

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