Hong Kong Update for Travellers and Others

Get travel advice and stay on top of the latest developments in Hong Kong affecting the airport, public transport, public safety and other issues. Details here.

Public Health Response Plan Activated

Hong Kong health authorities continue to monitor developments regarding the emergence of an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. A dedicated webpage has been set up to provide relevant information and health advice. Details here.

Support for Hong Kong Community

The Hong Kong SAR Government has unveiled a series of economic relief measures to support individuals and businesses in Hong Kong affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Details of the various measures to preserve the vitality of the economy, retain jobs and relieve people's financial burdens can be found here.

LegCo General Election postponed for a year

Jul 31, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government announced today that, amid the severe COVID-19 epidemic situation, the 2020 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election, originally scheduled for September 6, will be postponed for a year to September 5, 2021, in order to protect public safety and public health as well as ensure elections are conducted openly and fairly. Speaking at press conference, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the decision to postpone the 2020 Legislative Council election has nothing to do with politics and was made on the basis of protecting the health of Hong Kong people. Details here.

Financial results for three months ended June 30

Jul 31, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government announced today its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Expenditure for the period April to June 2020 amounted to HK$176.8 billion (US$22.6 billion) and revenue HK$67.8 billion (US$8.6 billion), resulting in a cumulative year-to-date deficit of HK$109 billion (US$13.9 billion). The fiscal reserves stood at HK$1,051.3 billion (US$134.7 billion) as at June 30. Details here.

Exchange Fund at US$537.8 billion

Jul 31, 2020 - Total assets of Hong Kong's Exchange Fund amounted to HK$4,195.3 billion (US$537.8 billion) as at June 30. This is HK$113.4 billion (US$14.5 billion) higher than that at the end of May 2020. Hong Kong dollar assets increased by HK$87.2 billion (US$11.1 billion) and foreign currency assets increased by HK$26.2 billion (US$3.3 billion). Backing assets increased by 2% to HK$1,953.1 billion (US$250.3 billion). Details here.

Daytime dine-in services allowed

Jul 30, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government has decided to allow the resumption of daytime dine-in services from 5am to 5.59pm with effect from Jul 31, having noted the inconvenience and difficulties the previous arrangement caused the public not working from home. In the latest dine-in arrangements, the number of customers at any catering premises must not exceed 50% of the normal seating capacity of the premises and no more than two people can sit together at one table. Tables available for use or being used by customers must be arranged with a distance of at least 1.5 metres or a partition. Other requirements and restrictions in relation to catering business premises will remain in effect, including wearing a mask at all times except when consuming food or drinks, conducting body temperature screening for people entering the premises and providing hand sanitizers. The Government reiterated that implementation of the temporary cessation of dine-in services was intended to curb the continued spread of the disease in the community by further minimizing eating in groups and social contact in view of the severe epidemic situation. Details here.

Government backs returning officers

Jul 30, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government today said it agrees with and supports the decisions of Returning Officers to invalidate 12 nominees for this year's Legislative Council General Election. In a statement, the Government noted that Returning Officers clearly state that, in determining the validity of nominations, the core question is whether the nominee has complied with the declaration requirement under section 40(1)(b)(i) of the Legislative Council Ordinance to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR. The Returning Officers’ decisions aim to ensure that the election is held in strict accordance with the Basic Law and other applicable laws in an open, honest and fair manner. There is no question of any political censorship, restriction of the freedom of speech or deprivation of the right to stand for elections as alleged by some members of the community, said the statement. Details here.

Government extends work arrangement

Jul 30, 2020 - The Hong Kong SAR Government today announced that aside from those providing emergency services and essential public services, all other government employees should continue to work from home until August 9. As the local epidemic situation remains severe, it is necessary to continue to take measures to significantly reduce people flow and social contact to stop COVID-19 from further spreading in the community. Government departments will continue to provide emergency and essential public services. The Government also strongly appealed to employers of private organizations to allow their staff to work from home as far as possible. Details here.

Advanced estimates of second quarter GDP

Jul 29, 2020 - According to estimates, Hong Kong's GDP decreased by 9% in real terms in the second quarter of 2020 from a year earlier, compared with the decrease of 9.1% in the first quarter of 2020. The decline of GDP was mainly attributable to the continued weak performance in both domestic and external demand. A Hong Kong SAR Government spokesman said that Hong Kong's overall economic conditions remained very weak in the second quarter of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to severely hit global and local economic activities. Looking ahead, the COVID-19 pandemic will remain a key threat to the global economic outlook. The evolving China-US relations and heightened geopolitical tensions also add to uncertainties. The finalized GDP figures for the second quarter of 2020, along with the revised GDP forecast for 2020 will be released on August 14. Details here.

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