Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London

Latest Updates

Government further relaxes social distancing measures

The Government announced on May 3 the further relaxation of social distancing measures, with a view to relaunching social and economic activities in an orderly manner. Starting from May 5, early relaxation in measures will allow catering premises to accommodate eight persons at most per table, re-opening of swimming pools, gazetted beaches, as well as water sports centres and public swimming pools under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), and not wearing masks when present in country parks or when conducting strenuous physical activity in outdoor places. Starting from May 19, the second stage of relaxation in social distancing measures will be implemented as scheduled. That includes extension of the dinnertime dine-in service hours in catering premises, allowing bars/pubs as well as other scheduled premises regulated under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) which are currently closed, and allowing eating and drinking in cinemas etc.

Government further relaxes social distancing measures

The Government announced on May 3 the further relaxation of social distancing measures, with a view to relaunching social and economic activities in an orderly manner. Starting from May 5, early relaxation in measures will allow catering premises to accommodate eight persons at most per table, re-opening of swimming pools, gazetted beaches, as well as water sports centres and public swimming pools under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), and not wearing masks when present in country parks or when conducting strenuous physical activity in outdoor places. Starting from May 19, the second stage of relaxation in social distancing measures will be implemented as scheduled. That includes extension of the dinnertime dine-in service hours in catering premises, allowing bars/pubs as well as other scheduled premises regulated under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) which are currently closed, and allowing eating and drinking in cinemas etc.

Government suitably adjusts inbound control measures on risk-based principle

The Government announced today (April 22) that non-Hong Kong residents (HKRs) will be allowed to enter Hong Kong from overseas places and the route-specific flight suspension mechanism will be suitably adjusted with effect from May 1 (Hong Kong Time), and rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be added to the "test-and-hold" arrangement at the airport. The aim is, on the premise of maintaining the strategy to guard against the importation of cases and continuing stringent quarantine measures, and as far as risks could be properly managed, to alleviate as much as possible the uncertainty of Hong Kong-bound passengers' journeys in reserving flights and designated quarantine hotels, as well as to streamline the testing and quarantine procedures upon arrival, in response to the needs of HKRs that need to return to Hong Kong as well as the strong demands from the relevant trade.

Government suitably adjusts inbound control measures on risk-based principle

The Government announced today (April 22) that non-Hong Kong residents (HKRs) will be allowed to enter Hong Kong from overseas places and the route-specific flight suspension mechanism will be suitably adjusted with effect from May 1 (Hong Kong Time), and rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be added to the "test-and-hold" arrangement at the airport. The aim is, on the premise of maintaining the strategy to guard against the importation of cases and continuing stringent quarantine measures, and as far as risks could be properly managed, to alleviate as much as possible the uncertainty of Hong Kong-bound passengers' journeys in reserving flights and designated quarantine hotels, as well as to streamline the testing and quarantine procedures upon arrival, in response to the needs of HKRs that need to return to Hong Kong as well as the strong demands from the relevant trade.

Government suitably relaxes social distancing measures

As the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has substantially alleviated in a continuous manner since March, with various monitoring indicators showing a consistently downward trend in epidemic activity, the Government announced today (April 14) the first stage of adjustments to social distancing measures that will take effect on April 21, including allowing resumption of dinnertime dine-in services, re-opening of most previously closed premises, as well as updates on the restrictions on gatherings in public and private places, in response to the aspirations of citizens and various industry sectors for resuming normal activities as early as practicable. A Government spokesman said, "The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic development and adjust the social distancing measures in a timely manner, so that social and economic activities can be gradually resumed. Since the epidemic situation has not been fully subsided, we urge citizens to observe all applicable social distancing measures and receive the third dose of vaccine as early as possible. Eligible persons should also receive the fourth dose of vaccine. This will help Hong Kong to resume normalcy at an earlier time."

Government suitably relaxes social distancing measures

As the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has substantially alleviated in a continuous manner since March, with various monitoring indicators showing a consistently downward trend in epidemic activity, the Government announced today (April 14) the first stage of adjustments to social distancing measures that will take effect on April 21, including allowing resumption of dinnertime dine-in services, re-opening of most previously closed premises, as well as updates on the restrictions on gatherings in public and private places, in response to the aspirations of citizens and various industry sectors for resuming normal activities as early as practicable. A Government spokesman said, "The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic development and adjust the social distancing measures in a timely manner, so that social and economic activities can be gradually resumed. Since the epidemic situation has not been fully subsided, we urge citizens to observe all applicable social distancing measures and receive the third dose of vaccine as early as possible. Eligible persons should also receive the fourth dose of vaccine. This will help Hong Kong to resume normalcy at an earlier time."

Government adjusts boarding, quarantine and testing arrangements for inbound travellers on risk-based principle

Noting the latest developments of the epidemic situation, and considering the enhanced capacity in tackling the local epidemic as well as overall social and economic needs, the Government announced the lifting of place-specific flight suspension mechanism, and the detailed boarding, quarantine and testing arrangements for inbound travellers from overseas places with effect from April 1. Hong Kong residents boarding flights for Hong Kong from any overseas places have to hold a recognised record of full vaccination, a negative result proof of a PCR test conducted within 48 hours of boarding, and a room reservation confirmation in a designated quarantine hotel. If the results of the PCR test conducted on the fifth day and the RATs conducted on the sixth and seventh days of arrival are all negative, they can be discharged from compulsory quarantine. However, they will be required to undergo self-monitoring for seven days, and a compulsory PCR test on the 12th day of arrival at Hong Kong.

Government adjusts boarding, quarantine and testing arrangements for inbound travellers on risk-based principle

Noting the latest developments of the epidemic situation, and considering the enhanced capacity in tackling the local epidemic as well as overall social and economic needs, the Government announced the lifting of place-specific flight suspension mechanism, and the detailed boarding, quarantine and testing arrangements for inbound travellers from overseas places with effect from April 1. Hong Kong residents boarding flights for Hong Kong from any overseas places have to hold a recognised record of full vaccination, a negative result proof of a PCR test conducted within 48 hours of boarding, and a room reservation confirmation in a designated quarantine hotel. If the results of the PCR test conducted on the fifth day and the RATs conducted on the sixth and seventh days of arrival are all negative, they can be discharged from compulsory quarantine. However, they will be required to undergo self-monitoring for seven days, and a compulsory PCR test on the 12th day of arrival at Hong Kong.

Government extends place-specific flight suspension mechanism

The Government announced today (February 23) that the place-specific flight suspension mechanism for Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended to April 20. A Government spokesman said, "We understand that the place-specific flight suspension mechanism is an extremely stringent emergency measure, and will inevitably affect the return journeys of Hong Kong residents from these nine places. However, we must maintain the relevant measure so as to quickly quell the epidemic situation, in order to prevent imported cases from posing additional pressure on the medical system."

Government extends place-specific flight suspension mechanism

The Government announced today (February 23) that the place-specific flight suspension mechanism for Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended to April 20. A Government spokesman said, "We understand that the place-specific flight suspension mechanism is an extremely stringent emergency measure, and will inevitably affect the return journeys of Hong Kong residents from these nine places. However, we must maintain the relevant measure so as to quickly quell the epidemic situation, in order to prevent imported cases from posing additional pressure on the medical system."

Government further tightens social distancing measures

In view of the very dire epidemic situation in Hong Kong, the Government announced yesterday (February 22) further tightening of social distancing measures and its intention to maintain the relevant measures till April 20. A Government spokesperson said, "The fifth wave of the epidemic has brought tremendous challenge to Hong Kong. It is now the top priority for all sectors of the community to make efforts to fight the epidemic. We hope that citizens may co-operate with us to contain the epidemic as soon as possible so as to protect public health and allow daily lives to gradually resume normalcy."

Government further tightens social distancing measures

In view of the very dire epidemic situation in Hong Kong, the Government announced yesterday (February 22) further tightening of social distancing measures and its intention to maintain the relevant measures till April 20. A Government spokesperson said, "The fifth wave of the epidemic has brought tremendous challenge to Hong Kong. It is now the top priority for all sectors of the community to make efforts to fight the epidemic. We hope that citizens may co-operate with us to contain the epidemic as soon as possible so as to protect public health and allow daily lives to gradually resume normalcy."