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An End To Hong Kong Hotel Quarantine! Current Social Distancing Restrictions And Vaccine Pass Requirements

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The day has finally come! From Monday, 26 September, 2022 Hong Kong hotel quarantine will be a thing of the past. The details are still being finalised, but this is the latest on the Vaccine Pass, social distancing and what we know so far.

Can you even remember all the iterations of hotel quarantine we’ve had? There was the initial 14-day home quarantine with tracking bracelets, then it was moved to hotel quarantine. We’ve had flight bans. There’s been 7-day, 14-day and the dreaded 21-day, “World’s Longest Quarantine” (with Lion Rock Press even producing a dedicated souvenir range). Not to mention the dreaded Penny Bay option. Remember when you had to test and hold at Asia World Expo for 10 plus hours before moving on to your quarantine destination? It’s been almost three years, and if you don’t have your own quarantine experience, you certainly have friends and family that do! While the rest of the world was travelling far and wide last summer, many parents in Hong Kong have still been waiting for their own special reunions with family and friends.

Jump To:
Latest COVID-19 Social Distancing Restrictions & Vaccine Pass In Hong Kong
Hong Kong Hotel Quarantine: When Will Hong Kong Introduce 0+3 Quarantine?
Where Can You Go During Medical Surveillance?
What Are The Covid Vaccination Requirements To Enter Hong Kong?
What Are The Covid Testing Requirements To Enter Hong Kong?
What Are The Covid Testing Requirements During Medical Surveillance?
Finally, Where To Travel?!

Read More: Hong Kong Covid Tests: PCR Tests, RATs And Community Testing Centres


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Latest COVID-19 Restrictions In Hong Kong And The New Vaccine Pass

Hong Kong will soon extend the Vaccine Pass requirements to children from 5 years old, so those who had previously not been vaccinated at all are now feeling the pressure to do so. The Vaccine Pass for children will take effect from Friday, 30 September, 2022, but what does that actually involve?

  • Starting from Friday, 30 September 2022, children aged 5 to 11 are required to have received at least the first dose of a COVID vaccine within the last three months. If they received their first dose earlier than that, they will need to also have their second.
  • Starting from Wednesday, 30 November, 2022, children will need to have received their second dose.
  • There is also a change for older kids and adults! From 30 September, everyone from 12 years old will only have five months (instead of six) to have their third COVID vaccine. From 30 November, everyone will be required to have had their third dose of a COVID vaccine to comply.

Read More: COVID Vaccination Booking Hong Kong — COVID Vaccines For Kids


Does your child need a smartphone to show their Vaccine Pass QR code?

No. Parents have four options to prove their COVID vaccination status and comply with the Vaccine Pass:

  1. Present a printed paper record showing the QR code.
  2. Show a photo of the QR code, saved on the parent/ caregivers electronic device.
  3. Use “My Family Member” in the eHealth mobile app to view and show both yours and your child’s Vaccine Pass.
  4. An update to LeaveHomeSafe app will likewise let you show your own and your child’s Vaccine Pass.

Read more: Raising A Child With An Immune Deficiency During COVID-19


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Where do you need to show your COVID vaccination status and Vaccine Pass for kids?

Vaccine Passes will be checked in many places, including the following.

Vaccine Passes are required (although may not be checked) at shopping malls, markets and supermarkets. This guide from the Hong Kong Government indicates where the code will be required while this page contains the latest official Vaccine Pass information.

Your child will still be able to go to school if they are not vaccinated, but there may be restrictions around how long they can attend, meal times and extracurricular classes. You should check in with your child’s school directly.

Read More: The Best Masks For Kids And Adults When Out And About


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Hong Kong Hotel Quarantine: When Will Hong Kong Introduce The 0+3 Quarantine Model?

The new 0+3 quarantine model will come into play on Monday, 26 September, 2022. This means that you’ll be under medical surveillance (more on that below) for three days after you arrive.

Arrivals to Hong Kong will be issued with an Amber QR code upon landing, which under the Vaccine Pass rules restricts entry to certain premises. Your Vaccine Pass on LeaveHomeSafe should automatically turn from amber to blue at 9am on day 3, provided your day 2 PCR test is negative.

An important note, your arrival day is classified as Day 0. If you land on a Monday, this is your Day 0 and your Vaccine Pass should turn blue Thursday at 9am.

Read More: COVID Vaccination Booking Hong Kong: Covid Vaccines For Kids And The Vaccine Pass


Where Can You Go During Medical Surveillance?

During your four days of medical surveillance, you can go to get essential groceries, pick up takeaway food and take public transport. You can go to work and kids can go to school, but there may be additional restrictions like wearing your mask and taking meal times separately from colleagues or classmates.

You CAN NOT dine in at restaurants, go to the gym or venues like indoor playrooms, swimming pools, or hair salons amongst others.

Read More: Grocery Stores: Supermarkets With Grocery Delivery In Hong Kong


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What Are The Vaccination Requirements To Enter Hong Kong?

From Monday, 26 September, 2022, the Hong Kong border will open for unvaccinated residents.

Tourists aged 12 and over must be vaccinated to board a flight to Hong Kong, however, there are some (not many!) medical exemptions. Children younger than 11 do not need to be vaccinated, so long as those they are travelling with are.

Do double-check the vaccination requirement in the lead-up to travel it may change when the Vaccine Pass for kids is introduced.

Head here for a list of Hong Kong government-approved COVID vaccines.

Head here for details on what constitutes a Hong Kong government-approved COVID vaccination record.


What Are The Covid Testing Requirements To Enter Hong Kong?

The rules and regulations about COVID testing for your family are constantly changing. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this as hotel quarantine announcements are released.

  • From Monday, 26 September, 2022, PCR Tests will no longer be required to board your plane to Hong Kong. You will need to take a RAT within 24 hours of departure.
  • Fill in the Health Declaration Form online which will generate a QR code for quicker access
  • You’ll be directed to a testing booth where everyone aged 3 and over will have a PCR test as well as a rapid antigen test
  • Babies and toddlers will be given a stool sample collection bottle that needs to be dropped off to a testing centre (keep this bottle handy as the details will be checked at various points as you exit the airport)
  • Proceed to immigration and baggage claim (your RAT results will be checked as you exit)
  • There is no need to wait at the airport for your PCR test results, you can take public or private transport home

Read More: Where To Buy Face Masks For Kids And Adults In Hong Kong


What Are The Covid Testing Requirements During Medical Surveillance?

Details on the testing arrangements under the 0+3 system are still being announced. You will need to complete PCR tests on days 2, 4 and 6.

Babies and toddlers do not need to provide additional stool samples. You are also required to do daily RATs (provided on check-in) and have the option of uploading the results to the government website.

Read More: Counselling, Psychologists And Therapists For Couples And Families In Hong Kong


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The Final Question — Where To Travel?

So what will it be? A long-awaited return to see family and friends abroad? Perhaps a beach holiday in family-favourite Phuket or Bali. Or maybe even an indulged winter ski vacation! Whichever holiday is on the cards, one this is for sure, it sure has been a long time coming!

Read More: 10 Tips For Flying With Kids: What To Pack In Your Carry On

Main image courtesy of Getty, image 1 courtesy of Getty, image 2 courtesy of Getty, image 3 courtesy of Annie Spratt on Unsplash, image 4 courtesy of Getty

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