Entry requirement to Hong Kong from the US

Before boarding the flight, travelers from the US 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. They are 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://qcor.cms.gov/main.jsp (please click on “CLIA Laboratory Lookup” in the left-hand column) or on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/clia/LabSearch.html 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. Starting from December 22, 2020, all travelers arriving in Hong Kong from countries outside China are required to undergo 14-day compulsory quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel. They will have to take designated transport to travel from the airport to the designated quarantine hotels. 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.

Join Our Virtual Chinese New Year Celebration

While traditional in-person celebrations have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, we invite you to visit our dedicated platform Celebrating the Year of the Ox 2021 to mark the season with a selection of performances, explorations and cultural traditions.

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.

Bountiful opportunities for Hong Kong

Mar 4, 2021 - Hong Kong will continue to reap the benefits of its "one country, two systems" framework, said Financial Secretary Paul Chan, adding that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development presents the city with bountiful business opportunities today and for generations of Hong Kong people, and businesses, to come. Speaking at the South China Morning Post's Redefining Hong Kong Series today, Mr Chan said he is confident the Hong Kong economy will bounce back, with growth of between 3.5% and 5.5% this year and an average annual growth of 3.3% between 2022 and 2025. Details here.

Economic index exclusion dismaying

Mar 4, 2021 - The Hong Kong SAR Government today expressed deep disappointment and serious dismay at the Heritage Foundation's decision to exclude Hong Kong from its 2021 Index of Economic Freedom. In a statement, it said the foundation’s decision is neither warranted nor justified, adding it does not do justice to the Hong Kong which topped the chart as the world's freest economy for 25 years out of the Index's 27-year history. "We take strong exception to the foundation's claim that Hong Kong's economic policies are ultimately controlled from Beijing. This is ill-conceived and simply not true," the statement said, pointing out that Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy over its economic and trade policies as enshrined in our Basic Law," the statement said. "Hong Kong is and will always remain an open, safe, vibrant and pluralistic international financial and business hub, underpinned by economic freedom, the rule of law and judicial independence." The statement pointed out that the foundation's decision to suddenly exclude Hong Kong from this year's assessment was politically biased and a departure from its long-established practice for the index. Hong Kong always ranked high in the areas of fiscal health, business freedom, trade freedom and financial freedom, which are the parameters used by the foundation in compiling its index. The city’s strength in those areas has not changed. Details here.

Hong Kong fully cooperates with central government

Mar 4, 2021- The Hong Kong SAR Government today said the central government has the authority and responsibility to improve the city’s electoral system, adding that it will render its full cooperation to the central government. The Hong Kong SAR Government made the statement in response to the deliberation by the National People's Congress of a draft decision on improving the city's electoral system. To ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong must always adhere to the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong". The principle is fundamental to national sovereignty, security, development interests, as well as the long-term prosperity of Hong Kong. Details here.

January retail sales fall 13.6%

Mar 3, 2021 - The value of total retail sales in January, provisionally estimated at HK$32.6 billion (US$4.1 billion), fell 13.6% year-on-year. After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales decreased 14.5% year-on-year. The Hong Kong SAR Government said retail sales continued to post a notable year-on-year decline in January amid the fourth wave of the local COVID-19 epidemic. Due to the difference in timing of the Lunar New Year, the figure for January was conceivably distorted and it would thus be more meaningful to examine the figures for January and February combined to assess the latest retail sales performance. Looking ahead, the business environment of the retail trade will still be difficult in the near term as the epidemic continues to pose a threat and inbound tourism remains frozen. Details here.

Social distancing measures extended

Mar 3, 2021 - Social distancing measures currently in place will be maintained until Mar 17 as the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Hong Kong remains volatile, with silent transmission in the community still active, since the gradual and orderly relaxation of social distancing measures on Feb 18. Given the recent cluster in eateries, the Hong Kong SAR Government will require catering business premises to dedicate staff for clearing used utensils and cleaning and disinfecting used tables and partitions to reduce the relevant infection risk. If this arrangement is not practicable, staff carrying out the aforementioned duties must adopt hand hygiene measures before switching to perform other duties and as necessary during each round of cleaning duties. Bathhouses, party rooms, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke establishments, mahjong-tin kau premises and swimming pools will remain closed. 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 public places will also remain in effect. Details here.

Talent scheme eligibility widens

Mar 2, 2021 - The Innovation & Technology Commission today announced that the eligibility for the Research Talent Hub will be extended to enlarge the pool of innovation and technology talent in Hong Kong. Holders of a bachelor's or master's degree in a discipline related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) awarded by a well-recognized non-local institution will be included in the scheme. These institutions refer to the top 100 institutions for STEM-related subjects in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, the Academic Ranking of World Universities and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The Research Talent Hub previously provided funding support for eligible companies or organizations to engage up to four graduates with a doctoral degree in STEM-related disciplines from a local university or a well-recognized non-local institution, or with a bachelor's or master's degree in a STEM-related discipline awarded by a local university to conduct research and development work. It provides maximum monthly allowances of HK$18,000 (US$2,307), HK$21,000 (US$2,692) or HK$32,000 (US$4,102) for research talents with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree. The maximum engagement period for each research talent is 36 months. Details here.

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