IMPACT – HIGH

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has announced new measures to fight the COVID-19 virus, including banning entry to all non-Hong Kong residents traveling from overseas by plane. The changes will be implemented March 25 and will remain in effect for at least 14 days.

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

  • Non-Hong Kong residents traveling from overseas by plane will be denied entry.
  • Non-Hong Kong residents traveling to Hong Kong from Mainland China, Macao and Taiwan will be denied entry if they have been to any overseas country or territory in the last 14 days.
  • Transit services at Hong Kong International Airport will be suspended.
  • Travelers coming from Mainland China, Macao and Taiwan will be subject to a 14-day home quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong.
  • Exemptions are available for spouses and minor children of Hong Kong residents, air crew, sea crew on goods vessels, government officials and personnel involved in fighting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The full list of exemptions is available here.

Additional information: Lam also announced that Hong Kong would step up its COVID-19 testing program by testing all travelers from the United States and Europe (including the United Kingdom). Those who test positive will be taken in for isolation and treatment. Those who test negative will still be required to complete the 14-day home quarantine. Those who are found to have violating the 14-day home quarantine requirement may be brought into a quarantine center or face other penalties.

The government has also announced that it will limit public services to essential and emergency services until further notice. The Immigration Department (ImmD) will offer reduced services. The full list of services available this week is available here.

Analysis & Comments: The restrictions that Hong Kong and other jurisdictions have imposed have significantly disrupted business activity and employee mobility. Additional restrictions are still possible, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Global Travel Impact Matrix, available here, for information on travel restrictions in other countries and territories.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.