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IMPACT – HIGH
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.
Key Points:
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.
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.
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:
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.
IMPACT – HIGH What is the change? The Hong Kong Department of Health has implemented mandatory quarantine for travelers from Iran and parts of Italy.
What does the change mean? Upon arrival in Hong Kong, travelers who have been in Iran, or any of three regions in Italy (Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna) in the past 14 days will be placed in a quarantine center. The quarantine requirement applies to all travelers who have been in Iran and the Italian regions, including residents of Hong Kong. The quarantine duration was not specified, but quarantine for travelers to Hong Kong from parts of South Korea and mainland China is 14 days.
Background: The new Hong Kong quarantine measure was implemented to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Prior to announcing the measure, on Feb. 28, the Hong Kong government issued outbound travel alerts for both Iran and the same three regions in Italy. The alerts stated that travel to these areas constitutes a significant threat and that travelers from Hong Kong should adjust travel plans and avoid non-essential travel. According to a Center for Health Protection document, Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna are the three Italian regions with the largest number of COVID-19 virus cases. Iran has also recently experienced a surge in the number of cases, including some fatalities. Analysis & Comments: The quarantine measure for travelers from Iran and Italy is Hong Kong’s latest effort to halt the spread of COVID-19.Those planning travel to Hong Kong from Iran and the affected Italian regions may wish to reconsider their plans. The response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
What is the change? The Immigration Department (ImmD) has announced it will continue to limit services this week in response to the coronavirus.
Additional information: The ImmD has limited services for the past three weeks in effort to address coronavirus. The full list of services available this week is available here.
Analysis & Comments: The availability of immigration services depends on the location and type of service, with some offices remaining open during normal business hours but only providing some services. Other ImmD offices such as most Smart ID Card Replacement Centers will remain closed. Those who had made an appointment for immigration services during this time may visit the relevant office after March 1 without needing to make a new appointment. The ImmD will continue to review the temporary measures and announce further details. Deloitte is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Deloitte.
Additional information: The ImmD has limited services for the past two weeks in effort to address coronavirus. The full list of services available this week is available here.
Analysis & Comments: The availability of immigration services depends on the location and type of service, with some offices remaining open during normal business hours but only providing some services. Other ImmD offices such as most Smart ID Card Replacement Centers will remain closed. Those who had made an appointment for immigration services during this time may visit the relevant office after Feb. 23 without needing to make a new appointment. The ImmD will continue to review the temporary measures and announce further details. Deloitte is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Deloitte.
What is the change? The Immigration Department (ImmD) has announced that it will continue to limit available services at various locations.
What does the change mean? Some immigration services will not be available from Feb. 10-16.
Analysis and Comments: The temporary limited availability of immigration services depends on the location and type of service, with some offices remaining open during normal business hours but only providing some services. Other ImmD offices such as most Smart ID Card Replacement Centers will remain closed. Those who had made an appointment for immigration services during this time may visit the relevant office after Feb. 16 without needing to make a new appointment. The ImmD will continue to review the temporary measures and announce further details. Deloitte is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Deloitte.
What is the change? Hong Kong has announced that it will impose a 14-day mandatory quarantine on all people entering Hong Kong from mainland China.
What does the change mean? The change comes amid growing concern over the spread of coronavirus and following Hong Kong’s first coronavirus death earlier this week. The new measures will apply to all visitors entering Hong Kong from the mainland, including residents of Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s Immigration Department (ImmD) had previously announced that it would temporarily limit available services in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Analysis & Comments: The measures represent a significant escalation in Hong Kong’s response to coronavirus. Those planning travel between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong are urged to reconsider their plans. Employers should be prepared to be flexible with employee schedules and travel plans. The response to the coronavirus is evolving rapidly, and Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes as necessary.
What is the change? The Immigration Department (ImmD) has announced that it is temporarily limiting available services at various locations in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.
What does the change mean? Many immigration services will not be available from Feb. 3-9.
Background: Last week, Hong Kong closed all but essential government offices and mandated government employees work from home following the coronavirus outbreak.
Analysis and Comments: The temporary limited availability of immigration services depends on the location and type of service, with some offices remaining open during normal business hours but only providing some services. Other ImmD offices such as most Smart ID Card Replacement Centres will be temporarily closed. Those who had made an appointment for immigration services during this time may visit the relevant office after Feb. 9 without needing to make a new appointment. The ImmD has stated that it will review the temporary measures and announce further details. Deloitte will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available. Those in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Deloitte.