Health quarantine expanded to include travelers from all parts of the world

IMPACT – HIGH

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced that beginning March 19 travelers from all parts of the world other than Mainland China, Macau and Taiwan will be subject to 14-day home quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s COVID-19 entry restrictions will be as follows:

• Quarantine center. Travelers who have been in Iran or certain parts of Italy (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto) and South Korea (Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do) in the past 14 days are required to stay in a quarantine center for 14 days after arrival.
• Home quarantine. Beginning March 19, travelers who have been anywhere other than Mainland China, Macau and Taiwan in the 14 days before entering Hong Kong will be subject to mandatory home quarantine.

Currently, mandatory home quarantine is limited to travelers who have been in the Schengen Area, South Korea and Hokkaido in Japan. This requirement was set to be expanded to travelers who have been in Egypt, Ireland, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States from March 19. Lam announced today that mandatory home quarantine would be expanded to all travelers except those coming from Mainland China, Macau and Taiwan.

Analysis & Comments: The change represents Hong Kong’s most significant move yet to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Employers are advised to account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly.

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