June 2022 - PCR Tests / Flight Circuit Breaker Changes

[shri]

A couple of tweaks which will make life easier for travellers and for airlines to plan their scheduled into Hong Kong.

PCT Test Changes

- No longer need to provide ISO or "recognition. by medical authority" certificates for arrivals. The PCR test has to be done within 48 hours of departure.

- No longer need to have pre-departure PCR tests for children under 3.

- No need for travellers transiting through Hong Kong to provide PCR tests (for HK transit.. your destination might have other requirements).

- Recognition or acceptance that previously infected and recovered travellers might test +ve under some circumstances. If these passengers can show some proof that they have been infected 14-90 days prior to departure, they will not be considered +ve and can move to hotel quarantine.

- Additional 9th day PCR test for passengers who are released on day 7 following a negative day 5 test.

Flight Circuit Breaker Changes

- Instead of an immediate ban for issues with documents that the passengers are carrying (usually the ISO / recognition proof) airlines will be given a HK$20K fine on the first instance in 10 days and then if this happens again, they will be banned from flying that route for 5 days.

(Given that the documents required are now simplified to a negative PCR result from I think any medical lab, the flight bans are unlikely to be triggered - unless they let passengers board without PCR results or the more complicated set of rules with recently infected passengers causes problems.)

Press Release:

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...2052900331.htm

[Shiojiri Hiro]

baby steps i guess...



step by step oh baby
gonna get to you girrrrrrl

[RobRoy]

Im a boiling frog with Stockholm syndrome who now thinks these are great news!

[shri]

Im a boiling frog with Stockholm syndrome who now thinks these are great news!

Welcome to the club.

[Cornmeal]

Although I know it'll help some folks in different regions, 48hrs is still tough compared with previous 72hours. Changes without making changes...

[MABinPengChau]

And yet, I still need a test within 24 hours to enter the US...go figure. The country with still plenty of cases going on...yeah.

[LoFlyer]

- No need for travellers transiting through Hong Kong to provide PCR tests (for HK transit.. your destination might have other requirements).



https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...2052900331.htm

This, I called the airport 2 days ago and asked if was to fly in from one country and then grab a plane to another the same day is it okay, I was told not it wasn't a connecting flight or had to pick up baggage. If its changed I'll be wrapped.