Updated Hong Kong Travel Advisory Published — Vax Before Travel

The U.S. Department of State recently updated its Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the PRC’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) regarding local requirements and COVID-19 cases.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined the PRC has a low level of COVID-19, and Hong Kong has a high level.

The CDC says, ‘If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, avoid visiting Hong Kong.’

People within the PRC, including the Hong Kong SAR, are subjected to mandatory testing, confirmed the State Department on August 30, 2022.

The zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19 by the PRC and Hong Kong SAR governments severely impacts travel and access to public services.

All travelers should prepare to quarantine at a government-designated location for an extended duration upon arrival.

Travelers who test positive during this quarantine time will be transferred to a government-designated medical facility.

Standards of care, accommodations, testing, and treatments may differ considerably from standards in the United States, including the possibility of unsanitary or crowded conditions, substandard or limited access to food provisions, and delayed access to medical treatment.

Even after completing quarantine on arrival, travelers to the PRC, including the Hong Kong SAR, may face additional quarantines and mandatory testing as well as movement and access restrictions, including access to medical services and public transportation.

In areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases, restrictions may include being confined at home or moved to a government-designated quarantine facility or hospital.

Visit the U.S. Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 and related restrictions and conditions in the mainland areas of the PRC or the Consulate General Hong Kong’s COVID-19 page for details on the situation in the Hong Kong SAR.

Of note, the CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the USA remains in effect.

For more information, see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC suggests checking which other travel vaccines and medicines you may need at least a month before your trip.

Certified travel pharmacies in the USA offer various vaccination services.

Note: This information was manually curated for international travelers.