Tripperhead's Somewhat Helpful Guide to: Departing Hong Kong
Tripperhead's Somewhat Helpful Guide to: Departing Hong Kong
By Aaron Busch
Pre-departure and on-arrival rules for people flying from Hong Kong International Airport specifically targeting travellers from HK, Macau and China.
This guide does not include rules countries have for ALL travellers. Please confirm entry requirements before travelling.
This guide will be updated regularly to the best of my ability.
Created January 1st, 2023
January 2nd update: added pdf and correct testing details for Australia.
January 3rd update: South Korea changes from mainland China-only testing policy to include Hong Kong and Macau from January 7th. Qatar adds China including Hong Kong to pre-flight test requirements.
January 4th update: Added Chile and Ghana.
January 5th update: Added Sabah (state of Malaysia). Updated Italy to now include Hong Kong. Added Germany, Belgium and Sweden. And Austria.
January 6th update: Added Greece.
January 7th update: Added Finland, Portugal, the Netherlands and Thailand. Updated Belgium and Germany.
January 8th update: Edited Portugal to exclude Hong Kong. Added Guyana.
January 9th update: additional details for travellers to South Korea. Added new Macau rules for Japan. Removed most Thailand rules.
January 11th update: additional rules and regs for South Korea. Added additional information to Thailand (medical insurance no longer compulsory).
January 12th update: Added Cyprus.
January 19th update: Netherlands excludes Hong Kong.
February 7th update: Finland’s rules never happened. Struck out.
February 13th update: India scraps rules. Struck out.
February 14th update: Can’t find information for Chile. Struck out. Added additional details for Cyprus. Added French Guiana.
February 15th update: Greece rules end. Struck out.
February 16th update: France (and its dominions) scraps arrival rules. Struck out.
February 19th update: Sweden scraps arrival rules. Struck out.
February 22nd update: Germany ends rules for China and Macao. Struck out.
March 1st update: Austria, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain end their rules. Struck out.
March 10th update: Sabah struck out as no confirmation the rule ever was enacted. Guyana struck out as they rescinded the rule before it began.
March 11th update: Australia, South Korea and USA end China, Macau and Hong Kong rules. Struck out.
March 17th update: Canada struck out.
Australia
Starting January 5th, all travellers from China, Macau and Hong Kong require negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs of departure.Test type: Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAA). RAT must be supervised by a medical practitioner.
Further details: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/covid-19-testing-requirements-for-travellers-from-china-hong-kong-and-macau_0.pdf
Austria
Arrivals from China will require a negative PCR test result before departure taken within 48hrsDirect flights onlyTest type:LAMP, PCR or TMAUnknown if Hong Kong and Macau are affected (unlikely as no direct flights)
Further details: https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20230105_OTS0083/oesterreich-testpflicht-vor-abflug-fuer-einreisen-aus-china
Belgium
travellers aged 12+ on direct flights from China to present a negative Coronavirus test on arrivalTest type: PCR or RAT with certificateStart date: January 8thRoyal decree states flights from the People’s Republic of China (which includes Hong Kong), but currently there are no direct flights from HKIA to Belgium.
Further details: https://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/347134/belgium-to-mandate-covid-19-test-for-direct-flights-from-china
Royal Decree: (In French and Dutch)
Canada
Starting January 5th, all travellers from China, Macau and Hong Kong require negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs of departure.Test type:test could be either a negative molecular (such as a PCR test), or a negative antigen test that has documentation to show that it has been monitored by a telehealth service or an accredited laboratory or testing provider.Test exempted if have proof of positive result within previous 10-90 days.
Chile
Starting January 1st, all travellers require negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs of departure.Test type: PCR
Further details: https://www.gob.cl/pasoapaso/
Cyprus
all travellers from China require negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs of departureDirect and connecting flights to Cyprus includedTest type: PCRStart date: January 15thEnd date: March 15thIncludes Hong Kong and Macau
Further details: https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-cyprus-government-covid-46b2dc1f5dea783a41360085bf638508
Government press release (in Greek): here
Finland
all travellers from China require negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs of departureStart date: tbcUnknown whether new rules pertain to Hong Kong and MacauFurther details: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/22771-kiuru-finland-to-draft-restrictions-for-travellers-arriving-from-china.html
France
Starting January 5th, all travellers from China, Macau and Hong Kong require negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs of departure.Those aged 6+ must wear masks on-board flightCOVID-19 screening tests on arrivalTest type: antigenic or PCR test
Further details: https://hongkong.consulfrance.org/Health-measures-for-passengers-from-China-including-Hong-Kong-Macau
French Guiana
Starting January 30th, all travellers from China, Macau and Hong Kong require negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs of departure.COVID-19 screening tests on arrivalFill in a sworn statement from herehttps://cn.ambafrance.org/Test type: antigenic or PCR test
Germany
All arrivals from China will be required to show a negative RAT on arrivalStart date: January 9thHong Kong excluded
Further details: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Transport/Archiv_Risikogebiete/Risikogebiete_aktuell_en.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
Ghana
Starting January 6th, all travellers from China require negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs of departure.Test type: PCRRAT test on-arrival (free of charge)Unknown if Hong Kong and Macau are affectedConfirmed by a reader Hong Kong is included
Further details:
Greece
All travellers on direct flights from China will require a negative COVID-19 test result 48hrs prior to departureTest type: PCR or RATStart date: IATA Timatic updated, already started.
Further details: https://eody.gov.gr/proliptika-metra-gia-tin-antimetopisi-tis-exarsis-covid-19-stin-kina/
Guyana
Starting January 8th, all passengers two years and older, originating from the People’s Republic of China will be required to get a COVID-19 test no more than 2 days before their departure from China, Hong Kong, or MacauTest type: PCR or RATCertificate neededIncludes passengers who have transited through a third countryPassengers who tested positive more than 10 days before the flight can provide documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in lieu of a negative test result
Further details: https://newsroom.gy/2023/01/05/guyana-now-wants-negative-covid-test-for-all-travelers-from-china/
India
Starting January 1st, all travellers from China and Hong Kong require negative COVID-19 test result within 72hrs of departure.Test type: COVID-19 RT-PCR with reportChildren under 12 years of age are exempted from both pre-departure and post-arrival random testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during the period of self-monitoring period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol.Upload the negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report on the Air Suvidha portalSubmit complete and factual information in self-declaration form on the online Air Suvidha portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) before the scheduled travel, including last 14 days’ travel details
Further details: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalArrivals29thDecember2022.pdf
Italy
Starting December 28th, all travellers from China, Hong Kong and Macau require negative COVID-19 test result prior to boardingcertificate proving to have taken a molecular test during the 72 preceding hours or an antigen test during the preceding 48 hoursobligation to take an antigen swab test on arrival in ItalyEnd Date: February 28th
Further details: https://conshongkong.esteri.it/consolato_hongkong/en/la_comunicazione/dal_consolato/2020/08/aggiornamento-sulle-regole-di-entrata_1.html
Japan
New rules pertain to mainland China and Macau only.
Hong Kong not affected.
Further details: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html, updated rules to include Macau (in Japanese)
Morocco
Prohibit access to the territory of the Kingdom of Morocco to all travellers, regardless of their nationality, coming from the People's Republic of China.
Applies to anyone who has been in China in the past 7 days.
Does not specify if this includes Hong Kong and Macau.
Further details: https://www.diplomatie.ma/en/statement-5
Netherlands
Starting January 10th, arrivals from China on direct flights will need a negative COVID-19 testTest type: NAAT or rapid antigenHong Kong and Taiwan excluded.
Further details: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad
Portugal
Starting January 8th, pre-flight test required for travellers from China within 48hrs of departureTest type: PCR or TRAgDirect flights to Portugal only, therefore Hong Kong and Macau are excludedFurther details: (In Portuguese)
Qatar
Starting January 3rd, all travellers from China (including Hong Kong) required to show negative COVID-19 test result at check-in taken within 48hrs of departure
Test type: PCR
Does not pertain to transit passengers who do not leave Hamad International Airport
Further details: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx
Sabah (Malaysia)
Starting January 7th, all travellers from China required to show negative COVID-19 test result at check-in taken within 48hrs of departureTest type: negative RT-PCR or RTK Ag Professional testUnknown if Hong Kong and Macau are affected
Further details: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/01/05/covid-19-watch-sabah-announces-entry-rules-for-travellers-from-china
South Korea
Travellers from Hong Kong and Macau required to have negative COVID-19 test result within 48hrs (PCR) or 24hrs (RAT) of arrival starting January 7th.Test type: PCR or RAT; self-administered not accepted.Negative result certificate needs to be presented at airline check-in.Q-Codeneeds to be filled in prior to boarding, and the QR Code generated needs to be presented at airline check-in.K-ETA: Nationals of K-ETA eligible countries/regions can apply for K-ETA viathe official K-ETA websiteor mobile application (search K-ETA on the mobile APP store) at least 72 hours before departure. HKSAR, MACAOSAR, and BNO passport holders are required to apply for K-ETA and obtain approval to enter Korea under visa-free entry.From January 10th, all Hong Kong or Macau passengers must enter Korea via Incheon International Airport. Domestic transit (i.e. Incheon to Busan) at Incheon airport is not allowed.
Further details: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/hk-en/brd/m_1495/view.do?seq=761411&page=1
Spain
New rules pertain to mainland China only.Hong Kong not affected.
Further details: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/gabinete/notasPrensa.do?id=5986
Sweden
Starting January 7th, all travellers from China, Hong Kong and Macau required to show negative COVID-19 test result certificateSwedish nationals are exemptThe test requirement applies to adults and children over the age of 12.End Date: February 18th
Further details: https://www.regeringen.se/48d597/globalassets/regeringen/bilder/socialdepartementet/statsrad-och-statssekreterare/230105-faq-inreserestriktioner.pdf
Taiwan
New rules pertain to mainland China only.Hong Kong not affected.
Further details: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/ced3YzEQzmg1lsK6hxSS5Q?typeid=9
Thailand
Starting January 9th, all foreign arrivals into Thailand over the age of 18 are required to be vaccinated.exemptions for Thai passport holders, those under 18, transit passengers who do not leave the airport, and those who can prove they have had COVID-19 in the past 7-90 days.For those without vaccination records, they will need to be tested on-arrival in ThailandVaccination rule scrapped the same day it was implemented
Medical insurance rule does not pertain to Hong Kong travellers.Medical insurance rule scrapped January 10th
Medical insurance rule for mainland China, India and Myanmar now voluntary.Further details: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/national-news/more-changes-compulsory-health-insurance-now-not-required/
United Kingdom
New rules pertain to mainland China only.
Hong Kong not affected.
Further details: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
United States
Starting January 5th, all travellers from China, Macau and Hong Kong require negative COVID-19 test result no more than 2 days before departure.Test type:test could be either a negative molecular (such as a PCR test), or a negative antigen test that has documentation to show that it has been monitored by a telehealth service or an accredited laboratory or testing provider.Test exempted if have proof of positive result 10 days or more before departure.Airlines must confirm the negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before they board or deny boarding to the passenger.
Further details: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p1228-COVID-china.html
https://hk.usconsulate.gov/health-alert-2022122901/
Thanks once again for this, Aaron! You’re a star
Ghana 13January - Can confirm that we need PCR test coming from HK