Entry requirement to Hong Kong from the US

Starting at 0.00 am, 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 travelers 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 traveler 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://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. The travelers 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.

Do not bring cannabis or THC products to Hong Kong

December 2, 2020 - Certain countries or jurisdictions have legalized or decriminalized cannabis for recreational use. Cannabis, as well as products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Please be reminded that it is an offense under Hong Kong laws to bring such dangerous drugs into Hong Kong without authorization. Please review the pamphlet "Cannabis is a drug" for more information. Details here.

Court administers justice in accordance with law

Dec 2, 2020 - In response to the comments from local and overseas communities concerning sentencing of three defendants who pleaded guilty to charges in a recent court case, the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued a statement, which said that it will not comment on the case at this stage as the legal proceedings of the case have not yet completed. The DoJ reiterated that human rights and freedom in Hong Kong, including freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, are fully protected by the Basic Law. However, such freedoms are not absolute. The Government of the Hong Kong SAR is committed to upholding the rule of law. Articles 63 and 85 of the Basic Law stipulate respectively that the DoJ "shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference", and the courts of the Hong Kong SAR "shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference". Details here.

US report refuted

Dec 2, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government vehemently refutes the report issued by the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission.The Government statement said it strongly refutes the accusation that "One Country, Two Systems" is undermined, pointing out that the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" is the best institutional arrangement to ensure Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability. Enacting laws on national security with extraterritorial effect is also squarely in line with international practice. Since the implementation of the National Security Law, stability has been restored to society and national security has been safeguarded in the Hong Kong SAR. Hong Kong people can continue to enjoy their basic rights and freedoms in accordance with the law. Hong Kong's financial markets and linked exchange rate system had continued to operate in a stable and orderly manner following the implementation of the National Security Law. Capitalizing on the strengths of "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong will harness the tremendous opportunities presented by the sustained reform and opening up of the Mainland market buttressed by Hong Kong's adherence to and connectivity with international rules and standards. Details here.

Social distancing measures tightened

Dec 1, 2020 - Starting Dec 2, social distancing measures in Hong Kong will be further tightened in view of the latest COVID-19 epidemic situation. The number of people per table is reduced to two in a restaurant, which will have shorter dine-in hours (5:00 am – 10:00 pm). Amusement game centers, museums, cinemas, theme parks, karaoke establishments and swimming pools will close. Bars or pubs, bath-houses, clubs or nightclubs and party rooms will remain closed. Fitness centers, along with beauty parlors and massage establishments can stay open with stricter requirements. The number of persons allowed in a group gathering in public places will be reduced from four to two and the number of people allowed in wedding ceremonies, with no food or drink served, will be restricted to 20. Fines for violating social distancing rules will also be raised in order to create the necessary deterrence effect. Measures, including requirements on mask wearing in specified public places and on public transport, remain in effect. Details here.

Air travel bubble deferred

Dec 1, 2020 - In view of the recent developments of the COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong, the Governments of the Hong Kong SAR and Singapore have decided to defer the commencement of the Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble (ATB) to beyond 2020 and will review the arrangement for 2021 towards late December. A spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR Government said today that subsequent to the deferral announcement on November 21, the two Governments have been closely monitoring the epidemic situation in both places. The decision on a further deferral of the launch date of the ATB was taken in view of the severity of the epidemic situation in Hong Kong with the number of local cases of unknown sources increasing rapidly. Details here.

Key link and prime platform for Belt and Road Initiative

Dec 1, 2020 - Hong Kong, as an international financial center with world-class professional services, has what the Belt and Road Initiative needs to finance and service its infrastructure projects, said Financial Secretary Paul Chan at the 21st Hong Kong Forum today. "To realize that far-reaching promise, Hong Kong must enhance its position as the 'prime platform and a key link' for the Belt and Road Initiative," said Mr Chan, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government is working to bring the soft power of the city's professional services into play in Belt and Road projects. "We are supporting capacity-building collaboration and, in the coming year, plan to roll out a Mainland Enterprises Partnership Exchange and Interface Program. It's designed to help Hong Kong professionals seize the opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative - long down that bountiful road." Mr Chan added that Hong Kong, with its long-established international business environment, will have much to offer the Greater Bay Area (GBA). At the same time, the GBA will be natural conduit for Hong Kong to participate in and benefit from Mainland's domestic circulation. Details here.

Smart and green is key to shipping

Dec 1, 2020 - Noting that being smart and green is key to the future of shipping, Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan said the COVID-19 pandemic has given the impetus to accelerate the adoption of technologies in the maritime sector. Speaking at the 2nd Annual Capital Link Hong Kong Maritime Forum today, he said Hong Kong will work in tandem with both the local and global shipping community to further explore the adoption of smart solutions ranging from e-certs to automation, robotics and artificial intelligence to mitigate operational challenges and capture business opportunities. Hong Kong is also examining further tax incentives for shipping commercial principals to foster continual growth of the maritime cluster and attract more maritime principals to Hong Kong. Details here.

October retail sales drop 8.8%

Dec 1, 2020 - The value of total retail sales in October, provisionally estimated at $27.4 billion (US$3.5 billion), fell 8.8% compared with the same month in 2019. After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the volume of total retail sales dropped 9.3% year-on-year. The year-on-year decline in retail sales narrowed in October as consumption sentiment improved amid the stable epidemic situation in that month. A lower base of comparison also contributed to the improvement. Looking ahead, with the fourth wave of the local COVID-19 epidemic spreading widely and quickly, the business environment of the retail trade may deteriorate again in the near term. Details here.

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