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IMPACT – HIGH
Hong Kong recently announced the reopening of Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres and a new call up program.
Key points:
Additional information: Last week, the Hong Kong Immigration Department announced that it had resumed most public services, with the exception of the Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres.
Analysis & Comments: The reopening of the centers and the new call up program will allow many people in Hong Kong to replace their identity cards with greater ease.
Rest of World 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 includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or 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.
The Hong Kong Immigration Department has resumed most public services, with only Smart ID Card Replacement services and passenger immigration inspection services remaining suspended at this time.
Key Points:
Analysis & Comments: The resumption of most normal immigration services is welcome news, though delays should be expected. Applicants are reminded to submit applications by mail, online or via a mobile app when possible and to book appointments before visiting immigration offices. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
The Department of Health (DH) has updated COVID-19 testing arrangements for asymptomatic travelers arriving in Hong Kong.
Background: The DH will issue quarantine orders to all incoming travelers, as well as electronic wristbands. Travelers leaving their designated holding center room will be in breach of the quarantine order, which is a criminal offense, and will be subject to maximum imprisonment of six months and a fine of HK$25,000.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
The government has extended entry restrictions for non-Hong Kong residents until further notice.
Additional information: Hong Kong initially imposed the entry ban last month. Exemptions to the entry ban include: aircraft and maritime crew members engaged in essential work or transportation of goods, government officials and consular personnel carrying out official duties, those engaged in fighting the COVID-19 virus, and spouses and minor children of Hong Kong residents.
Analysis & Comments: The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
The government continues to limit in-person transactions to essential and emergency services.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
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:
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.
Hong Kong has launched a compulsory quarantine program for travelers from all foreign countries and territories in a bid to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Anyone who has stayed in a foreign country or territory in the past 14 days, regardless of nationality or travel document, will be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in Hong Kong.
Those subject to quarantine will either be quarantined at a place determined by an authorized officer or at a place requested by the person arriving in Hong Kong, depending on the circumstances. They will also be required to wear a smart wristband so that their whereabouts could be checked.
Exemptions are available for air crew, sea crew on goods vessels, government officials, experts engaged in fighting the spread of the COVID-19 virus, those providing materials for carrying out home quarantine and a limited number of others. The full list of exemptions is available here.
Some who are subject to quarantine may be tested for the COVID-19 virus.
The quarantine program will be in place for three months until June 18.
Additional information: Hong Kong established compulsory quarantine on Feb. 8 for anyone who has been in Mainland China in the past 14 days. This order remains in place. When taken together with the new quarantine for anyone traveling from any foreign country or territory, this means that only people traveling to Hong Kong from Macau or Taiwan will not be subject to quarantine.
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. The penalties for failing to follow quarantine rules are stiff, including fines of up to HK$25,000 or six months’ imprisonment.
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.
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.
Authorities in Hong Kong have implemented new measures to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including expanding quarantine requirements to travelers from a greater number of areas.
Analysis & Comments: The changes represent an escalation of Hong Kong’s response to the COVID-19 virus. Employers should anticipate additional travel restrictions and quarantine measures and must be prepared to be flexible with employee schedules and start dates for affected employees. The response to the COVID-19 virus in Hong Kong continues to evolve, and Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
The Immigration Department (ImmD) resumed most normal operations after services had been limited in February to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The only service that remains partially suspended is the passenger immigration clearance service.
Analysis & Comments: The resumption of most normal services is welcome news after services had been limited for more than a month. That said, applicants should expect delays and longer wait times given the likely rush for immigration services and appointments. Those with questions about the resumption may contact Deloitte or the ImmD by calling 2824 6111 or sending emails to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.