Updated information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccines
1. Measures to assist foreign domestic helpers and employers to cope with COVID-19 pandemic extended
The Government announced that the measures to assist foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and their employers to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended with immediate effect. These include extension of validity period of existing contracts and deferral of return to the place of origin.
2. Latest quarantine arrangements for foreign domestic helpers
The Government announced that Regala Skycity Hotel (Regala) on Lantau Island will be added as a Designated Quarantine Facility (DQF) for foreign domestic workers (FDHs) from January 2022 onwards. As the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly around the world, the Government needs to reserve all rooms at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre (PBQC) for quarantine purposes in order to prevent the variant from entering the community. Starting from January 3, 2022, Phases 1 and 2 of PBQC will thus cease taking reservations for FDHs coming to work in Hong Kong. In its initial period serving as a DQF, Regala will assist the Government in arranging by phases the intake of FDHs residing at PBQC to continue their quarantine. The FDHs, employers and employment agencies (EAs) concerned need not bear any additional costs or make any additional arrangements for the transfer to Regala, and the Government will inform them of the transfer arrangements one by one according to schedule.
3. Government tightens boarding and quarantine requirements for places with Omicron cases detected
In view of the latest global developments of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the places listed below will be specified as Group A specified places to tighten the boarding and quarantine requirements for relevant inbound travellers.
· Brunei Darussalam and Paraguay from 0.00am on December 31
· Kazakhstan and Myanmar from 0.00am on January 1
In view of the earlier detection of imported Omicron cases in Hong Kong from Kazakhstan, the Government will implement the most stringent quarantine and testing requirements for inbound travellers from that place.
· Belarus, Curaçao and Vietnam from 0.00am on January 2
4. Conditional free COVID-19 testing service continues for targeted groups
The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) announced that the free COVID-19 testing service will continue to be provided for eligible persons of targeted groups at community testing centres (CTCs).
More information on COVID-19 vaccines:
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