Hong Kong and Macao Strengthen Quarantine for Arrivals... "Mandatory Pre-Entry Testing and QR Code Submission"

On the afternoon of the 2nd, when mandatory COVID-19 testing for arrivals from China began, a passenger was filling out a health status questionnaire at the Incheon Airport arrival hall.
From this day forward, all arrivals from China must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
Yeongjongdo ? Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 3rd that some of the strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China will also be applied to arrivals from neighboring regions Hong Kong and Macau.

The CDCH explained that this decision was made considering the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Hong Kong. It also reflected the fact that the number of arrivals from Hong Kong last month (44,614) surpassed those from China (37,121).

However, not all measures applied to arrivals from mainland China will be applied to arrivals from Hong Kong and Macau. Starting from the 7th, the submission of a negative result from a pre-entry polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or professional rapid antigen test (RAT), and mandatory input into the 'Quarantine Information Pre-Entry System (Q-Code)' before boarding will be enforced.

Meanwhile, short-term foreign visitors who test positive for COVID-19 at the airport testing center upon arrival must quarantine for 7 days at a nearby temporary home facility, and the costs for PCR testing after arrival and accommodation fees must be borne by the individual.

If hospitalization is required, under the principle of reciprocity, Chinese nationals must pay the full medical expenses themselves, while for Hong Kong and Macau, hospitalization fees are supported, but meal and treatment costs are not covered.

The CDCH stated, "We will continue to monitor the quarantine situation in these regions and neighboring countries, and if imported cases increase or new variants are identified, we plan to consider additional measures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.