HK tightens entry measures on travellers from Russia

This comes as the number of cases, including those with mutant variants, rise in Russia. 

The Hong Kong government will be imposing stricter entry measures on 16 July for persons arriving from Russia, in light of a recent virus resurgence.

The government also moved to identify it amongst “very high-risk” places as it recorded a number of COVID-19 cases with mutant variants from travellers who have stayed in Russia. 

“The government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation of various places, the prevalence of new virus variants, vaccination progress, and changes in the volume of cross-boundary passenger traffic,” a government spokesperson said.

It was noted that boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from relevant places will be adjusted “as the situation warrant.”

Hong Kong has so far only placed Ireland under the same category; whilst it maintained the “extremely high-risk” classification on Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. 

Travellers who have stayed in areas under the very high-risk classification within 21 days before their flight are required to present a negative COVID-19 test result. the test must be taken 72 hours before their departure. 

They will then take another test upon arrival before they can proceed to the designated quarantine hotel, where they will stay for 21 days.