Insurance Linked Securities - Hong Kong Doubles Down Extending its Subsidy Grant Scheme
In its Hong Kong 2023-24 Budget, the Financial Secretary announced an extension of its insurance-linked securities (“ILS”) grant scheme for a...
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On September 26, 2022, to re-connect to the international community, Hong Kong moved to a system known as “0+3”. Travelers inbound to Hong Kong from Taiwan and places outside of China will no longer need to quarantine on arrival in a designated hotel. They can immediately get down to business.
The 0 refers to the elimination of compulsory quarantine in a government designated hotel for travelers entering Hong Kong from Taiwan or any place outside China. Immediately before this change, these travelers had to undergo such quarantine for 3 days.
The 3 refers to 3 days in which a fully vaccinated traveler will be subject to restrictions on venue access. The restrictions are achieved by issuing an Amber Code to the traveler on his smartphone in the Vaccine Pass system. An Amber Code permits entry into a hotel, an office, shopping malls and stores. However, it prohibits access to restaurants (except to place orders for and to pickup takeaway food), bars, sports premises, pools and fitness centres.
Unless medically exempted, non-Hong Kong residents must still provide government authority issued proof of full vaccination. Vaccinations must be completed at least 14 clear days before departure.
Travelers who have stayed outside China in the last 7 days must declare a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test online within 24 hrs of scheduled flight departure time. A PCR test is no longer required.
Unless exempted, proof of full vaccination is required for entry into restaurants, bars, fitness centres, pools, clubhouses, and a wide range of entertainment venues. Proof of full vaccination must be provided via a Vaccine Pass Blue Code on a smartphone.
No proof of vaccination is required to enter an office, shopping malls and stores or to place or pickup a takeaway order at a restaurant.
A Vaccine Pass Blue Code proves full vaccination. For adults, a Blue Code requires 3 vaccine doses except where a person has recovered from COVID. Single dose approved vaccines are deemed equivalent to 2 doses.
Travelers receive a provisional Blue Code, known as a Provisional Pass, valid for 180 days even if they haven't received 3 doses if such travelers have received government prescribed dosages of prescribed vaccines.
Vaccine |
Min Doses ( Adults ) |
---|---|
Sinovac |
2 * |
Pfizer-BioNTech |
2 * |
Moderna |
2 |
AstraZeneca |
2 |
* 1 dose if previously COVID infected
Group gatherings in public places are limited to 4 or fewer people except at restaurants, where a group is limited to 8 per table. As a result, Blue Code Vaccine Pass holders can entertain clients, suppliers and staff.
Entry into bars and clubs require a negative COVID rapid antigen test within 24 hrs of attendance.
Group gatherings of more than 4 people are permitted at “a place of work for the purposes of work”. This means all travelers can meet with clients, staff and suppliers in the office and host and attend in-house seminars and business lunches or dinners at the office to discuss work.
Unless exempted, a person must wear a mask at all times in any public place (with limited exceptions). Exemptions are available so no mask is required to eat or drink, for strenuous exercise outdoors or while exercising in fitness centres meeting air exchange requirements.
Unless exempted, to enter a wide range of venues (but not offices, shopping malls and stores), a person must:
Travelers over 3 yrs arriving from outside China must undergo testing:
Requirement |
Day |
---|---|
Government PCR test |
2, 4 and 6 |
Self-administered rapid antigen test |
1 to 7 |
Temperature check |
1 to 7 |
The daily rapid antigen test must be negative before going out for the day
Fully vaccinated travelers who test positive for COVID will be subject to isolation. If a traveler is asymptomatic or shows only mild symptoms, they can continue to stay in their own hotel at their own expense. A traveler in isolation who tests negative for COVID on 2 successive days, beginning with Days 6 and 7, can exit isolation.
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