But most of us still have to test to visit?
In early February, Hong Kong and China agreed to eliminate arrival quotas and COVID-19 testing for those crossing directly between the two places.
Unless the visitor … had been overseas within the prior seven days. Overseas as in Japan, Egypt, Taiwan? Sure, everywhere else.
Now, as of 1 March, Hong Kong has eliminated mask mandates, save for hospitals and nursing homes. But again, if you’re flying in from anywhere that isn’t China, you need to test:
Not to mention, as I alluded to above, even if you were coming from China, if you had been overseas up to seven days before your Hong Kong arrival date, you would still need to do a COVID-19 test. Unfortunately, this also basically eliminates the transit-without-a-visa option of visiting some Chinese cities, and then continuing on to Hong Kong.
You might be asking, why am I harping on this? Oh, it’s simple. I wax nostalgic for HK; after all, it was an old stomping ground. It’s obviously easy enough to get there now, but after a 2022 of taking test after test to go to a variety of countries — including the U.S. — 2023 says no thanks.
Besides, China is Hong Kong tourism’s golden goose.
This is not really correct. You need to do a self-test (RAT) and they don’t need to see any results, wont ask for the test or any document and you don’t need to submit anywhere. Its ‘honor’ system which only the airline MIGHT ask.
From coronavirus.gov.hk, re: Inbound persons arriving from Taiwan or places outside China– “Except those who aged three and below on the day of arrival at Hong Kong, rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted within 24 hours or PCR-based nucleic acid test conducted within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure (for arrivals via the airport) or before arrival at Hong Kong (for arrivals via other boundary control points), and obtained negative result; and
Retain the photo showing the RAT result or the PCR test report for 90 days”
It appears testing is still required, if not coming from China. Science had left the building long ago.
I live in Hong Kong and travel bi-weekly now. Its a self test and they never ask for any photo. Agreed on the science comment, its been a tough last 2 years here, but now it is pretty much ‘back to normal’ for travel and transit.
I’d have to draw a distinction between residents/locals, and tourists. I’d hate to go to check-in at the airport, only for the airline to ask where the test results were. Although, it does seem like once you’re in HK, things are nearly back to “normal.”
By the way, have you taken the Admiralty – Lo Wu train the entire way? I have many unpleasant memories of train transfers when East Tsim Sha Tsui stopped being the southern terminus.