Press Conference Summary
United Kingdom Travel Update and Social Distancing Measures:
Updated December 21st at 1624
Presented by Professor Sophia Chan, Secretary for Food and Health
Also in attendance are :
Professor Gabriel Leung, Chair of Public Health Medicine, Hong Kong University
Thomas Chan, Permanent Secretary for Food and Health.
Dr. Constance Chan, Director of Health
Sophia Chan said in the last two weeks the average cases per day is around 80 and the number of unknown cases is hovering around 31.
Dr. Chan is asking different households not to gather over this holiday period as this is a high risk activity.
Keep good hygiene whenever possible
Put a stop to the UK virus being transferred to Hong Kong. Professor Chan said the new strain has a 70% higher transmittable rate.
United Kingdom:
Effective at 0001 hrs on December 22nd; anyone who has remained in the United Kingdom for more than two hours in the past 14 days will not be allowed to board a plane to Hong Kong. This includes all Hong Kong residents. This policy will be effective will remain until canceled but by the government.
Those that have already arrived from the United Kingdom will need to remain at home after they have completed their hotel quarantine. People must leave the hotel and go straight home from Day 14- Day 21. The person can only leave their home after completing the Day 19/20 covid test.
For those who have arrived from the UK that have not been in Hong Kong for 21 days, the government will be issuing a notice for the new procedures shortly for quarantine from days 14-21. This notice will also cover the testing procedures and methods. This new measure will start at midnight on December 22nd and this is compulsory. Professor Chan said that there will be fines issued for those who do not comply.
Professor Sophia Chan said effectively there will be no passenger flights arriving from the United Kingdom effective midnight on December 22nd. Cargo flights will still be permitted.
Current Social Distancing Measures have been extended till 2359hrs on January 6th.
Restaurants/Bars
No dine in will be permitted from 1759hrs - 0459hrs
2 persons per table maximum
Restaurants must cap its capacity level to 50%
Bars must remain closed
Businesses to be closed under 599 (F) shall include:
1. Amusement game centers
2. Bathhouses
3. Fitness centers
4. Places of amusement
5. Places of public entertainment
6. Premises (commonly known as party rooms) that are maintained or intended to be maintained for hire for holding social gatherings
7. Beauty parlors
8. Establishments (commonly known as clubs or nightclubs) that are open late into the night, usually for drinking, and dancing or other entertainment
9. Karaoke establishments
10. Mahjong-tin kau premises
11. Massage establishments
12. Clubhouse (catering business therein must observe relevant direction)
My response was thinking about hotels, what i meant was they will not force existing people who are in hotels to stay more days in a hotel.
Govt has just saidThose that have already arrived from the United Kingdom will need to remain at home after they have completed their hotel quarantine. People must leave the hotel and go straight home from Day 14- Day 21. The person can only leave their home after completing the Day 19/20 covid test.
If you read above it says, "For those who have arrived from the UK that have not been in Hong Kong for 21 days, the government will be issuing a notice for the new procedures shortly for quarantine from days 14-21."
You're only clear if you arrived >21 days ago. If in that 14-21 period currently I guess this means they will ask you to remain home for the remaining to get you to 21 days.
For clarity, I'm not arguing this bit makes sense, if you've already been allowed out and about...
I've got a flight today (21st) from London to Hong Kong am I outta luck? 9pm UK time arrive 22nd 4pm HKT
CX and Virgin are showing departures on Heathrow's website.
https://www.heathrow.com/departures/...rch=departures
and
https://www.heathrow.com/departures/...rch=departures
CALL YOUR AIRLINE