The SUN HK : Incoming FDHs subject to the same quarantine rules, says Labour

By The SUN

Arriving FDHs will be treated the same way as other inbound travelers, says Labour

The Labour Department said in a press release Wednesday that foreign domestic helpers who will be arriving in Hong Kong from Friday, Aug. 12 onwards, will be subject to the same “3+4” quarantine arrangement for all inbound travelers.

That means that along with other new arrivals, they will have to spend three days in a designated quarantine hotel, and spend four days of medical surveillance at their employer’s home, subject to the required number of PCR and rapid antigen tests (RAT). They will need to undergo self-monitoring for three more days afterwards.

Should employers decide to require the FDH to spend more time in quarantine after the mandatory four days, they can arrange for the workers to stay at licensed hotels or guesthouses without having to inform the LD, said the statement.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The clarification was made in response to repeated queries from employers if special arrangements needed to be made for their FDHs who are due to arrive from overseas.

Along with all new arrivals, FDHs who test negative on arrival at Hong Kong Airport will be subject to amber, or yellow code, restrictions under the Vaccine Pass scheme.

This means, they cannot enter high-risk premises that will allow them to take off their masks or join group activities, such as restaurants; or those where people require special protection, like hospitals or residential homes for the elderly or disabled.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

But everyone under a yellow code like FDHs can conduct daily essential activities of lower risk, like taking public transport, entering supermarkets and markets,

The details of the quarantine and testing arrangements under the "3+4" model with particular mention of FDHs are as follows:

· Three days of compulsory quarantine: The day of arrival at Hong Kong with the first nucleic acid test conducted is considered as Day 0. FDHs are required to undergo compulsory quarantine for three nights in DQHs. They are subject to daily rapid antigen tests (RATs) and are required to undergo a nucleic acid (PCR) test on Day 2. Those who test negative consecutively will have completed the compulsory quarantine in the morning of Day 3.

· Four days of medical surveillance: FDHs are then subject to medical surveillance at their employers' residence for four nights. They are subject to daily RATs. After obtaining negative results of RATs on Day 4 and Day 6 upon arrival at Hong Kong, they are required to undergo PCR tests on the same days at a community testing centre, a mobile specimen collection station, or arrange a self-paid test at a local medical institution recognised by the Government.

During the medical surveillance period, FDHs can work at their employers' residence and can go out after obtaining a negative result of an RAT on that day, but they will be subject to yellow code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass.

· Continuous monitoring and testing: After completing medical surveillance, FDHs are subject to self-monitoring during the subsequent three days and undergo daily RATs until Day 10. They are also required to take the last nucleic acid test on Day 9.

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As for FDHs who have completed at least three nights of quarantine in DQHs before Aug 12 (or those who arrived at Hong Kong between Aug 3 and 8), they will be allowed to leave their hotels in an orderly manner starting from Aug 9 to 12 after confirming their negative PCR test results.

After leaving the DQHs, FDHs will be subject to medical surveillance at home, following the yellow code restrictions as mentioned above.

For those scheduled to arrive after midnight of Aug 12 onwards, all FDHs bound for Hong Kong must comply with the boarding requirements by completing the online Health & Quarantine Information Declaration of the Department of Health (www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/) in advance, and declare a record of completion of vaccination and provide information on booking at DQHs.

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Once their DQH booking information is confirmed by the system, FDHs will receive a green health declaration QR code. This will allow them to skip further verification of their vaccination records and confirmation of DQH booking during check-in for their flights.

On arrival in Hong Kong, they can also use the "express channels" with the green health declaration QR code and board the point-to-point transportation to DQHs.

However, if the online system is unable to confirm the DQH booking information of an inbound traveler, a pink health declaration QR code will be issued to the passenger. They will be required to present their DQH booking documentation during check-in for their flights.

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Persons boarding flights must present the health declaration QR code (which can be a downloadable version of the QR code, a screen shot or a printout) for verification by airlines before being allowed to board the flight.

In addition to the above requirements, inbound persons will continue to be required to provide proof of pre-departure tests (only applicable to inbound persons aged 3 or above), i.e. (i) negative result proof of a PCR-based nucleic acid test within 48 hours of the scheduled time of departure; or (ii) documentary proof to show that they were infected with the virus 14 to 90 days prior to boarding for Hong Kong, together with a negative result proof of an RAT conducted within 24 hours of the scheduled time of departure.

For details, please refer to the press release issued by the Government on August 8 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202208/08/P2022080800803.htm).

Employers or employment agencies (EAs) may visit the link below (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/designated-hotel.html) for details of DQHs.

If employers or EAs wish to arrange FDHs to undergo medical surveillance and self-monitoring in licensed hotels or guesthouses, please press here for the list of licensed hotels and guesthouses. The dedicated FDH portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk) of the LD also provides information and useful links relating to quarantine arrangements for FDHs.

Should there be enquiries on the quarantine arrangements for FDHs, please contact the LD through its 24-hour hotline at 2717 1771 (manned by 1823), by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk or through the online form on the dedicated portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk).

Note:
Persons under the category of Amber Code cannot enter the following premises subject to "active checking" of the Vaccine Pass and other premises in the capacity of a customer or visitor:

Premises regulated under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) which are subject to "active checking" of the Vaccine Pass:

· Premises required to use the QR Code Verification Scanner and is regulated under Cap. 599F, i.e. catering business premises (including bars or pubs), amusement game centres, bathhouses, fitness centres, places of amusement, indoor places of public entertainment, party rooms, beauty parlours and massage establishments, club houses, clubs or nightclubs, karaoke establishments, mahjong-tin kau premises, indoor sports premises, swimming pools, cruise ships, indoor event premises, barber shops or hair salons and religious premises.

· Premises required to inspect the Vaccine Pass visually as far as feasible, i.e. outdoor places of public entertainment, outdoor sports premises and outdoor event premises.

Other premises: residential care homes for the elderly, residential care homes for persons with disabilities, schools and designated healthcare premises.