Entry requirement to Hong Kong from the US

Starting at 0.00 a.m., August 10, 2020, the relevant conditions for Hong Kong residents travelling from the US to Hong Kong have been simplified. Before boarding the flight, relevant travellers are required to present test report, in English or Chinese, showing a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test administered within 72 hours of the scheduled time of departure. The traveller is also required to present documentary proof in English to show that the laboratory or healthcare institution is recognized/ approved/ ISO15189 accredited. Recognized laboratories in the US may be located via: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/CLIA/CLIA_Laboratory_Demographic_Information and print out the relevant record from the database. A relevant letter issued by the New York State Department of Health is attached for reference. The travellers are also required to show confirmation that they have booked a hotel for at least two weeks and will be quarantined at the hotel upon arrival. Please note that until further notice, only Hong Kong residents will be permitted to enter Hong Kong. The relevant specifications will remain effective until further notice. Details here.

Hong Kong's latest response to COVID-19

Get timely information on how Hong Kong is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, including quarantine arrangements, social distancing measures, public safety, public health and other issues. Details here.

Experience Hong Kong’s arts and culture scene from the comfort of your home

Through a newly created webpage, we hope to bring you some of Hong Kong’s best and diverse arts and cultural programs for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home. We will showcase Hong Kong's vibrant arts and cultural scene though webinar discussions, performances, art exhibitions and many other collaborations. Details here.

Social distancing measures to be relaxed

Oct 20, 2020 - Several social distancing measures in Hong Kong will be relaxed on Oct 23, including the lifting of restrictions on the number of people allowed at wedding ceremonies. The maximum number of people allowed at wedding ceremonies, at which no food or drink is served, will increase from 20 to 50. The maximum number of people in a room or partitioned area at a meeting held in accordance with any ordinance or other regulatory instrument that governs an organization's operation or its business including a listed company's shareholders’ meeting, at which no food or drink is served, will also increase from 20 to 50. The Hong Kong SAR Government made the decision after taking into account the latest public health risk assessment of the COVID-19 epidemic and striking a balance with economic needs and society's level of acceptance. Other social distancing measures currently in force continue to remain in effect. They include the prohibition on gatherings of more than four people in public places and the mandatory mask-wearing requirement when boarding or onboard a public transport carrier, entering or present in an MTR paid area, as well as entering or present in a specified public place. Details here.

Unemployment rate rises to 6.4%

Oct 20, 2020 - The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.4% in the period between July and September. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8% during the period. Total employment decreased by 15,600 to 3,624,800 while the labor force fell by 4,200 to 3,884,600. Secretary for Labour & Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong said the labor market deteriorated for the third quarter as a whole amid the third wave of the local epidemic. However, there were signs of stabilization towards the end of the quarter as the local epidemic situation abated in September and the Employment Support Scheme continued to provide support. Looking ahead, Dr Law said as the overall economic situation remains weak and the global pandemic is still evolving, the labor market will remain under pressure in the near term. Details here.

Hong Kong to be part of "dual engine of growth"

Oct 20, 2020 - Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said she will promote Hong Kong's interests, and aims to have Hong Kong and Shenzhen be a dual engine for growth in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. "That is my strategy to help Hong Kong's economy, not only to recover, but to prosper in the coming years," she said. Speaking ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning, Mrs Lam clarified that her earlier remarks that Shenzhen’s GDP had exceeded that of Hong Kong’s was taken out of context. "Shenzhen has been developing very well, so to have a higher GDP is only natural, but of course, in terms of per capita GDP, Hong Kong still is higher than Shenzhen," she said. Mrs Lam added that she will promote and fight for Hong Kong's interest both within the Mainland and globally. Details here.

August goods exports drop 1.2%

Oct 19, 2020 - In August, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods and imports of goods decreased by 1.2% and 4.5% respectively year-on-year. The prices of total exports of goods and imports of goods decreased by 0.9% and 1.3% respectively during the same comparison period. In August, the total export volume and the total export prices to the US fell 13.4% and 0.9% respectively, year-on-year. Details here.

Smart ID replacement for those born in 1970, 1971 and 1972

Oct 19, 2020 - Hong Kong residents born in 1970, 1971 or 1972 should apply for a new smart identity card at a Smart Identity Card Replacement Centre from Nov 2 to Apr 30 next year. Bookings can be made online, on a mobile application or by calling the 24-hour hotline at +852-2121-1234. Residents who are absent from Hong Kong during their call-up period can apply within 30 days of their return to the city. Details here.

Hong Kong and Singapore to create air travel bubble

Oct 15, 2020 - Hong Kong and Singapore have reached a milestone agreement to establish a bilateral Air Travel Bubble (ATB), with a view to revive air travel between the two aviation hubs, in a safe and progressive way. Speaking at a media session, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau outlined details of the agreement. Under the agreement, ATB travelers will be subject to mutually recognised COVID-19 tests and need to have negative test results. Travellers under the ATB will not be subject to any quarantine or Stay-Home Notice requirements or a controlled itinerary upon arrival. They will also travel on dedicated flights. No transit passengers or non-ATB travelers will be allowed on board. “It is an important milestone today that we have reached an agreement with the Singapore side to proceed with this framework. The remaining work is to finalize all the details with a view to allowing people to travel through this bubble arrangement as soon as possible," said Mr Yau. Details here.

Social distancing measures extended

Oct 13, 2020 - Social distancing measures currently in place in Hong Kong will be maintained until Oct 22. The Food & Health Bureau said it is worrying that the average number of locally confirmed COVID-19 cases continued to increase over the past week, with a number of cases with unknown sources of infection reported, indicating the existence of silent transmission chains in the community and highly probable rebound in the epidemic situation. All requirements and restrictions applicable to catering businesses and scheduled premises will be maintained. Activities and facilities involving higher health risks such as dancing, steam and sauna facilities will continue to be suspended or prohibited from opening. Unless exempted, the prohibition on group gatherings of more than four people in public places will continue. The requirement for wearing a mask at all times when on public transport and in all public places will also remain in effect. Details here.

Past events