Category: travel

Hong Kong Harbour Fiesta

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region the Hong Kong Tourism Board has announced a special edition of A Symphony of Lights. The Hong Kong Harbour Fiesta will run daily throughout July from 8pm – 8:10pm.

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images: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Social Distancing Measures Relaxed from 21 April

Yet more illogical changes to Hong Kong’s social distancing measures. Why is it ‘safe’ to go to the cinema or have a massage – yet not sit on the beach in the sun where the sunshine can kill the virus and help strengthen the bodies defences against the virus. Why can four people sit in a restaurant to drink and eat but not in a bar?…

Social distancing measures will be relaxed from 21 April in three phases over a period of three months. Use of LeaveHomeSafe and Vaccine Pass upon entering premises will still be required.

Phase 1:

• Reopening of amusement game centres, fitness centres, places of amusement, places of public entertainment, beauty parlours and massage establishments, sports premises, event premises and religious premises, where the number of persons per group gathering will be 4 generally.

• Relaxation of dine-in service hours at catering premises to 10pm, with the maximum number of persons allowed per table increased to 4; bars/pubs to remain closed.

• Reopening of all sports premises, museums, performance venues and libraries under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

• Masks-on all the time (including when doing exercise) except under necessary circumstances, e.g. eating or drinking at catering premises, receiving facial treatment at beauty parlours.

• Relaxation of the restriction on the maximum number of persons per group gathering in a public place to 4; cancellation of the prohibition on multi-household gatherings at private premises involving more than 2 households.

Phase 2:

• Reopening of the remaining scheduled premises, i.e. swimming pools, bathhouses, party rooms, clubs/nightclubs, karaoke establishments, mahjong/tin kau premises and cruise ships; relaxation of the restriction on the maximum number of persons per table/group gathering at scheduled premises to 8 by and large.

• Reopening of beaches under Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

• Masks-off allowed in outdoor areas of country parks, when engaging in strenuous physical activities in outdoor public places, at sports premises and fitness centres, etc.

• Further relaxation of dine-in service hours at catering premises to midnight, with the maximum number of persons allowed per table increased to 8; reopening of bars/pubs, with the opening hours until midnight/2am and maximum number of persons allowed per table at 4

Phase 3:

• Lifting of the restrictions on the maximum number of customers in terms of capacity limit, business/dine-in hours, maximum number of persons per group gathering, etc. at all catering premises (including bars/pubs) and scheduled premises

The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk

Flight Ban Ends 1 April 2022, Quarantine Rules Revised

With over 50% of Hong Kong’s population infected or recovering from Covid. What need is there for hotel quarantine (apart from hotel profits) unless a person fails a PCR test on arrival?

With effect from 1 April, the “flight ban” on the nine countries (Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) will be lifted.

Quarantine arrangements, under Cap. 599E, for all arrivals to be rationalised as follows:
Only Hong Kong Residents who are fully vaccinated can board a flight for Hong Kong.

A negative PCR-based nucleic acid test, taken within 48 hours of departure.

Confirmation of room reservation in a Designated Quarantine Hotel (DQH) for at least 7 nights.

“Test and hold” upon arrival in Hong Kong, where a rapid PCR-based nucleic acid test will be conducted; upon a negative test result, a 14-day Quarantine Order will be issued and designated transport taken to go to the DQH.

During the quarantine period, daily RATs will be conducted and PCR-based nucleic acid tests on Day 5 and (if still in the DQH) on Day 12.

If the results of Day 5 PCR-based nucleic acid test and Day 6 and 7 RATs are all negative, early discharge from the DQH will be allowed

If early discharge is opted for: self-monitoring for 7 days, with a PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted at a community testing centre on Day 12.

Otherwise: a PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted in the DQH on Day 12, followed by discharge from the DQH on Day 14 upon a negative result

If the result of the PCR-based nucleic acid test during “test and hold”, Day 5 or 12 PCR based nucleic acid test or daily RAT is positive, transfer to a community isolation hotel will be arranged with an Isolation Order issued.

The isolation and discharge arrangements will be the same as those for local cases in isolation, i.e. completion of isolation for leading a normal life upon Day 6 and 7 RAT negative results

The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk

Flight Ban Extended Until 20 April 2022

The Hong Kong Government has announced that the flight suspension for Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States of America will be extended to 20 April 2022.

All passenger flights from the nine countries are banned from landing in Hong Kong!

Anyone who has stayed in these countries for more than two hours within 14 days of their planned arrival will be prohibited from boarding any flight to Hong Kong.

covid-19-flight-ban-Hong-Kong

The Government Covid website is www.coronavirus.gov.hk

Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Data 2021

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has released the visitor arrivals data for December 2021 and the year as a whole.

In December 2021 there were 9,448 arrivals (6.475 from the mainland, 2,973 non-mainland) a 94% rise year on year. But a 90+% drop from 2019.

Arrivals for 2021 were 91,368 (65,694 from the mainland, 25,704 non-mainland) a 97% drop from 2020.

Hike The North Dragon Stream

A beautiful video from Wild Pi about hiking the North Dragon Stream, one of the Five Dragons of Tung Chung, and renowned for its pristine water.

https://youtu.be/d1OWtN-GEBs

Tung Chung’s Five Dragons refer to the five main streams at Wong Lung Hang (Yellow Dragon Valley). The five streams are: North Dragon Stream, Living Dragon Stream, Yellow Dragon Stream, Hidden Dragon Stream and East Dragon Stream.

Flowing into Tung Chung Bay, Yellow Dragon Stream – into which the others flow – is the major stream and it originates at Sunset Peak, Hong Kong’s third-highest mountain.

Warning: Hiking in streams is dangerous! Check the weather before setting out, never go alone.

Pick up your rubbish, don’t spoil nature’s beauty by leaving anything behind.

For more about Wild Pi :
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wild.pi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildpi3.14/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIukLawRWR_nDSrA3oRXTg

Peak Tram Closes for Renovation 28 June

Established in 1888 the Peak Tram has evolved over 130 years from a means of transportation into one of Hong Kong’s most-visited attractions.

The double reversible funicular railway, as it is technically known, rises from 28m to 396m above sea level along a 1.4 km track with a gradient of between 4 to 25.7 degrees.

The current Peak Tram has been in operation for 32 years and will close for around six months on 28 June for renovation and upgrade. The familiar burgundy trams will run until 1 June, before eight local artists – Peter Ng, Uncle@Afterworkshop, Stella So, Nopaperstudio, Pei Chung, Even Lee, Jacmila and John Lam –  decorate the cars with locally themed artwork.

No information has been currently provided about bus routes to replace the tram while it’s closed.

HK-Singapore Air Travel Bubble to Begin on 26 May

After many false starts the first local ‘Air Travel Bubble’ opens on the 26 May when HongKongers will be able to travel quarantine-free to Singapore.

There are lots of rules and qualifications, see below, but amongst the many rules is nothing about what happens to HongKongers in Singapore if the travel bubble is suspended. And once the bubble is suspended, the restart conditions are quite onerous. So if you travel, be prepared… For the latest information www.tourism.gov.hk/travelbubble

Hopefully, if the bubble proves successful, it will lead to similar arrangements with New Zealand and Australia in the coming months. No practical suggestions seem to have been made as to when or how HongKongers will be able to visit Macau any time soon.

Objective Air Travel Bubble

No restrictions on travel purposes.

Exemption from compulsory quarantine requirement / Stay-Home Notice.

No restrictions on itineraries.

Eligibility

Any person currently in Hong Kong and Singapore, irrespective of his/her nationality.

Any person with no travel history to any place other than Singapore or Hong Kong in the last 14 days prior to departure.
Note: any compulsory quarantine / Stay-Home Notice periods in Hong Kong or Singapore arising from the traveller’s last visit outside Hong Kong or Singapore would not count towards that 14-day period.

Negative result of COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid test by recognised testing institutions with a specimen collected within 72 hours prior to departure.

Hong Kong passport holders can only take an ATB flight at least 14 days after they have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Travel on ‘Designated Flights’.

Designated Flight Arrangements

From 26 May to 9 June, 2021:
Hong Kong to Singapore: 1 flight per day, with 200 travellers per flight Singapore to Hong Kong: 1 flight per day, with 200 travellers per flight 

From 10 June, 2021 onwards:
Hong Kong to Singapore: 2 flights per day, with 200 travellers per flight. Singapore to Hong Kong: 2 flights per day, with 200 travellers per flight.

Health Protection Measure

Testing Requirements:
Travellers are required to take mutually recognised COVID-19 PCR nucleic acid tests with a specimen collected within 72 hours prior to departure from Hong Kong and Singapore.

Travellers arriving in Hong Kong and Singapore are required to take a PCR nucleic acid test again at the airport.

Designated Flights:
Only carry ATB travellers, but not transit nor non-ATB travellers.

Designated lane upon arrival in Hong Kong:
There is a designated lane at Hong Kong International Airport for ATB travellers to take post-arrival COVID-19 tests and proceed through immigration.

Mechanism to Adjust or Suspend ATB:
A change in the epidemic situation in Hong Kong and Singapore may trigger the adjustment or suspension of ATB flights:
If the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unlinked local COVID-19 cases is more than five for either Singapore or Hong Kong, the ATB arrangements will be suspended after two days for a two-week period.

The ATB arrangements can resume on the next day after fulfilling the following two criteria:
(i) the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unlinked local COVID- 19 cases for both Hong Kong and Singapore does not exceed five on the last day of the 14-day suspension period or any subsequent day; and

(ii) after criterion (i) is met, subsequently there have to be three consecutive days with the daily number of unlinked local COVID-19 cases for both Hong Kong and Singapore not exceeding three, and the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unlinked local COVID-19 cases on the third day in both places does not exceed five.

Other Requirements for ATB Travel: HK to Singapore
(for all travellers)

Within 3 days prior to arrival in Singapore, fill in and submit SG Arrival Card.

Book a post-arrival PCR nucleic acid test before departure. Upon arrival, take the PCR nucleic acid test at the airport, then go to the declared place of accommodation5 by private transportation, taxis or private hire cars, and stay thereat for isolation until receipt of a negative test result before leaving the accommodation and commencing itineraries
(for travellers who are non-Singapore citizens, and at the same time, non-Permanent Residents or non- Long-Term Pass holders)
Apply for an Air Travel Pass 7 to 30 days prior to departure

Download the TraceTogether mobile app, register and keep the app activated on their mobile devices during their stay in Singapore, and retain the app and its records for 14 days subsequent to departure from Singapore

Other Requirements for ATB Travel: Singapore to HK

Fill in and submit health declaration by using the online Health & Quarantine Information Declaration Form within 48 hours prior to arrival in Hong Kong, and get the relevant QR code.

Book a post-arrival PCR nucleic acid test before departure. Upon arrival, take the PCR nucleic acid test through the designated lane for ATB travellers at the airport, and only leave the airport and start itineraries after receiving a negative test result.

Download the LeaveHomeSafe (LHS) mobile app, and scan the LHS QR codes displayed at relevant premises during their stay in Hong Kong, as well as retain the app and its records for 31 days subsequent to departure from Hong Kong.

Useful Links:

HongKong’s designated ATB: www.tourism.gov.hk/travelbubble

Health & Quarantine Information Declaration Form for arrival in Hong Kong: www.chp.gov.hk/hdf

Local COVID-19 testing institutions recognised by the Hong Kong SAR Government: www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf

LeaveHomeSafemobileapp: www.leavehomesafe.gov.hk

Singapore’s designated ATB website Safe Travel Lanes: https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg 

Singapore Trace Together mobile app: www.tracetogether.gov.sg 

Singapore Arrival Card: https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard

images: singapore tourism

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