Hong Kong Eases Travel Rules – Flight Bans and Quarantine

Visas, Immigration & Nationality

Hong Kong Eases Travel Rules – Flight Bans and Quarantine

Hong Kong will lift the ban on flights from nine countries and reduce hotel quarantine alongside a “roadmap” towards eased restrictions that suggest a departure from the zero-Covid policy.

The ban on flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK, and the US will end on 1 April.

Flight bans are no longer necessary for those nine countries because the situations there were “no worse” than that in Hong Kong, the chief executive, Carrie Lam, told the media on 21 March.

At the same time, hotel quarantine for international arrivals in approved hotels will be cut to 7 days from 14. Arrivals must test negative on Day 6 and Day 7 of quarantine before being allowed to visit the city.

Hong Kong will no longer divide travellers from different categories of countries but only residents with a completed course of vaccination will be able to board flights to the city and a hotel quarantine stay of at least 7 days must be booked.

Hong Kong chief executive, Carrie Lam, also confirmed citywide Covid-19 mass testing will be put “on hold”.

Most social-distancing measures, mask-wearing, and business and venue operations will be gradually eased from 20 April.

Pressure From Business Community

The moves were reportedly spurred by frustration in the banking community and wider population, which has endured more than two years of effectively closed borders.

While curbs and quarantines kept the city virtually virus-free for much of the pandemic, the more contagious Omicron variant evaded measures.

Hong Kong now has the highest Covid-19 death rate in the world, with hundreds of under-vaccinated elderly people and care-home residents killed by the virus.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Talk to us in the comments section below.

Check out the deals we have found below and tell us your travel plans.

Check out the offers and discounts from:

And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.

IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries

If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.

Some of our posts include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of these products, we might get a small commission. For more information, check out our TOS.

Charlie

Leave a Reply