Updated information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccines
1. Government announces nucleic acid testing arrangement to be implemented since January 8 for resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and Mainland
According to the announcement made through the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, starting from January 8, persons entering the Mainland from Hong Kong must possess a negative result of a COVID-19 nucleic acid test conducted within 48 hours prior to entry and declare the test result in the customs health declaration card. In light of the aforementioned arrangement for resumption of normal travel, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government announced details of the relevant testing arrangements in Hong Kong.
For details, refer to: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/06/P2023010600339.htm
2. Progressive, orderly and comprehensive resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and Mainland to be achieved
Starting January 8, all persons entering the Mainland from Hong Kong, or entering Hong Kong from the Mainland, are required to undergo a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of flight departure (for those entering via the airport) or the time of arrival (for those entering via other boundary control points (BCPs)) and obtain a negative result. Travellers should hold the applicable nucleic test report for checking by BCP personnel.
In addition, if inbound persons from Macao have stayed in the Mainland on the day of, or in the seven days prior to, arrival at Hong Kong, they will be required to undergo a PCR test within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of arrival at Hong Kong, and obtain a negative result for entering Hong Kong.
For details, refer to:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/05/P2023010500649.htm
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/05/P2023010500642.htm
3. Secretary for Health visits community testing centre
The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, visited a community testing centre (CTC) on January 9 morning to learn more about its operation and the situation of members of the public undergoing tests there. The Government also announced the testing arrangement for young children aged under three.
For details, refer to: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/09/P2023010900617.htm
4. "LeaveHomeSafe" system ceased operation
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) announced that following the relaxation of different anti-epidemic measures, the resumption of normal travel of Hong Kong and the Mainland in a progressive, orderly and comprehensive manner, as well as the resumption of normalcy of public's daily lives, the "LeaveHomeSafe" system has ceased operation and the app will not be further updated.
The "LeaveHomeSafe" telephone hotline (2626 3066) and the mobile support stations at 25 MTR stations for supporting the Vaccine Pass measure also ceased operation from January 8 onwards.
For details, refer to: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202301/08/P2023010800303.htm
5. The charging arrangement of private doctors for "Non-eligible Persons" prescribed with COVID-19 oral drugs
A Government spokesperson said that following the adjustments of local anti-epidemic measures , the Department of Health (DH) has issued letter to private doctors who have registered under the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS), reminding them that if the two COVID-19 oral drugs obtained from the Government, namely Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, are prescribed to "Non-eligible Persons" (NEP), private doctors are required to collect the drug cost on behalf of the Government.
For details, refer to: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202212/31/P2022123100602.htm
6. DH responds to media reports on sale of COVID-19 oral drugs at drugstores
A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said that two types of COVID-19 oral drugs (Paxlovid and Molnupiravir), which are currently supplied in Hong Kong by two drug manufacturers, namely Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited and Merck Sharp & Dohme (Asia) Ltd, have been registered as pharmaceutical products in Hong Kong in accordance with the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A). At present, only the two above-mentioned pharmaceutical products are approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong (the Board) as registered oral drugs for COVID-19 treatment.
For details, refer to: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202212/30/P2022123000526.htm
More information on COVID-19 vaccines:
https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/
Department of Health
