Think dim sum, shopping, and Disneyland. Popular holiday destination Hong Kong has eased its Covid-19 travel restrictions and travellers are keenly considering booking it for their next holiday.
From this month (14 Dec), international passengers arriving in Hong Kong will no longer face Covid-19 movement controls. This means that you are free to enter any premises once you step off the aircraft in Hong Kong.
However, that condition is only applicable if you test negative for Covid-19. The testing regime in Hong Kong continues, including vaccination requirements for travellers.
Life is no longer like during pre-Covid-19 days where you can just pack your luggage and jet off without a care in the world. Budgeting for your trip amid the new normal is now commonplace and that does include Covid-19 related costs.
Fret not, as we have compiled a comprehensive guide of what you may need to pay for to assist you in planning for your next Hong Kong trip.
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Which Restrictions Did Hong Kong Remove And Which Did It Keep?
Travellers were previously issued an Amber Code when they arrive in Hong Kong, which meant they could not visit venues like restaurants or bars for their first 3 days there.
With the new rules, you will be issued a Blue Code if you are determined to be free of Covid-19. Infected persons will be issued a Red Code and have to adhere to the Red Code restrictions.
In a nutshell, here are changes to the Covid-19 rules (Dec 2022) in Hong Kong:
- The Amber Code on the LeaveHomeSafe Covid-19 app will be scrapped, meaning all travel restrictions for visitors entering various types of premises in the city will be lifted, provided they test negative for Covid-19 on arrival.
- Infected patients isolating at home would no longer be required to wear an electronic tag restricting them to their residences.
Here the rules that are unchanged:
- Relevant travellers will still be required to obtain a negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours prior to boarding (for departing via the airport).
- You will still need to show a photograph or paper record of your Covid-19 vaccines at some venues which require it.
- Other social distancing measures, including the face mask mandate, will remain enforced as Covid-19 infection in the city remains serious.
We shall now look at the Covid-19 related costs you may have to pay for after factoring in the latest (Dec 2022) changes.
#1 (From $0 To $180) You Have To Be Fully Vaccinated/Pay For Vaccination If You Aren’t
Inbound travellers to Hong Kong (all non-Hong Kong residents aged 12 or above who have stayed in overseas places) are allowed to board a flight to the country only if you have fulfilled the vaccination requirements.
The vaccination requirements include those who are fully vaccinated with 2 doses of the vaccine – AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine, Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine, SPIKEVAX, or SPIKEVAX Moderna [Bivalent]. This is a non-exhaustive list – to find out how the different type of approved vaccines and many doses is required for you to be accessed as fully vaccinated, you can click here.
Those who are deemed to have fulfilled the relevant vaccination boarding requirements also include:
- People who are unfit for vaccination with relevant proof from a medical practitioner or have received 1 dose of recognised Covid-19 vaccine and hold a vaccination record but are unfit to receive the 2nd dose due to health reasons (and board the flight from 2 weeks of the 1st dose).
- Unvaccinated children aged 11 or below, regardless of Hong Kong residents or not, are allowed to board for Hong Kong.
- Children and youths aged between 12 and 17 who have received 1 dose of the Comirnaty vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to the day of departure.
- Recovered persons who were previously infected by Covid-19 who received 1 dose of a Covid-19 vaccine 2 weeks prior to departure.
Vaccinations in Singapore are free under the National Vaccination Programme for all Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, Long Term Pass Holders and certain Short Term Pass holders. It is not compulsory to be vaccinated in the country at this time of writing.
For those who do not qualify for the free national vaccination scheme and are thinking of travelling to Hong Kong, you will have to be vaccinated before travelling. A messenger RNA (mRNA) Moderna vaccination in Singapore costs around $180 per dose for the first 2 doses, and $130 per dose for booster shots. Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines cost $99 for 2 doses and $149 for 3 doses.
#2 (From $5 To Around $20) Pre-Departure Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) To Be Administered Within 24 Hours Before Scheduled Time Of Departure
According to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, you are required to conduct a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) (also known as Antigen Rapid Test or ART in Singapore) within 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure with a negative result and declared via the online Health Declaration Form.
The RAT test can be self-administered or by professional swab sampling. An RAT bought at a pharmacy costs around $5.00 each. Clinics also offer RAT(ART) services and a test costs around $20.
After you submit your negative test result and vaccination records via a health and quarantine declaration form, a green Health Declaration QR code will be generated. Inbound persons, regardless of Hong Kong residents or not, who have fulfilled the vaccination requirement, should declare their vaccination records in order to comply with the requirement to be issued the Provisional Vaccine Pass.
Source: Hong Kong Department of Health
Do print out or save the downloadable version or a screenshot of the green Health Declaration QR code. Present this at the airline check-in counter.
(Note) What happens if you get Covid-19 at this stage: It is unlikely that you can board the plane if you fall sick a day before the flight. Airlines like Scoot and Singapore Airlines do not allow those who test positive to board any flights. You might have to cancel the trip or postpone it if the airline allows so.
(FREE) 1 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test Upon Arrival At Hong Kong International Airport
Welcome to Hong Kong! At this stage, you would have arrived at the land of dim sum. For tracking purposes, the Hong Kong government counts the day of your arrival as Day 0. You must take a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at the Hong Kong International Airport upon arrival.
Travellers are not required to wait for the test result (“test and go” scheme) at the airport (those with the green Health Declaration QR code) and can proceed with immigration and customs clearance. You can take public transport or self-arranged transport to return to your place of residence.
Once you reach your place of residence, you will need to confirm the receipt of a negative “test-and-go” result before you can leave the place. Although the Hong Kong Airport and the Hong Kong Covid-19 government websites do not specify whether if travellers have to pay for the PCR tests, travellers who have visited Hong Kong since Dec 14 have confirmed with DollarsandSense that the PCR tests at the airport are fortunately free.
(Note) What happens if you get Covid-19 at this stage: All inbound persons must pass temperature checks upon arrival. Those found with symptoms will be referred to the Hong Kong Department of Health for further handling. Your Vaccine Pass will be switched to Red Code. You will be sent to a Community Isolation Facility if the place of residence is not suitable for isolation.
#3 (From $0 To $349) On The 3rd Day Of Visit, Take 1 PCR Test
Inbound persons aged 3 years old or above on the date of arrival at Hong Kong have to undergo PCR-based nucleic acid testing by professional swab sampling at a Community Testing Centre (CTC) /Community Testing Station or ad hoc mobile specimen collection stations (for free), or at recognised local medical testing institutions (self-paid).
You have to keep the SMS notifications containing the test results for 90 days.
To find out if you are in the clear, you can check the specified coloured QR codes assigned on your LeaveHomeSafe apps. Only those with a Blue QR Code will be allowed to move around without restrictions. People with assigned Red (positive for Covid-19) won’t be allowed to enter.
LeaveHomeSafe users can add up to 8 vaccine passes of companions who require assistance, such as those aged 15 or below, 65 and above, and those with disabilities. So that’s pretty handy if you are travelling with children and elderly.
If you are staying in a location that is out of the way from CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations, then you will have to head to a recognised local medical testing institution – but you will have to pay for the PCR test out of your own pocket.
Private hospitals that offer PCR tests in Hong Kong include Canossa Hospital, Gleneagles, and Hong Kong Baptist Hospital. The fees range from HK$1,320 (S$230) to HK$2,000 (S$349). Most of them offer same day results but you will have to go to the clinic early in the day if you want that.
(Note) What happens if you get Covid-19 at this stage: You should seek medical advice promptly when feeling unwell (even if having very mild symptoms only) and get tested under the instructions of a healthcare worker. Apart from the accident and emergency departments of public hospitals and GOPCs, you may also visit private clinics and hospitals. The Government provides free testing of Covid-19 for private doctors, whose compulsory testing will be conducted. Be ready to receive an isolation or quarantine order. One good thing from the latest (Dec 2022) Covid-19 relaxed rules is that you no longer need to wear electronic wristbands and get tracked if you get infected by Covid-19.
#4 (From $25) RAT (ART) Test For First 5 days Of Visit, With Results To Submit Online
Travellers are required to undertake RAT testing for the first 5 days of their visit and report the results through Hong Kong’s electronic COVID-19 Medical Surveillance System (eCMSS).
You can only leave the place of residence upon obtaining a negative result. Do keep the photos of the test results for 90 days as records.
The Government does not require relevant inbound persons to use specified models or brands of RAT kits. You may make use of Covid-19 RAT kits of your own or as acquired from the pharmacies and shops. For how to choose RAT kits or how to perform an RAT, please refer here.
Again, the RATs (or ARTs) can be brought over from Singapore and cost $5.00 apiece. Unless if for some reason you were feeling “gung ho” or fearless and did not bring extra RAT kits, you can easily get them at Hong Kong pharmacies.
(Note) What happens if you get Covid-19 at this stage: If you got a positive result through an RAT, you will have to report via the online platform “Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test” as soon as possible by the reporting deadline. You will receive an SMS to upload supporting documents and download your isolation or quarantine order.
#5 (From $7.20 To $8.99) Buy Masks – Mask Wearing Is Still Largely Compulsory For Both Indoors And Outdoors
Masks are still compulsory both indoors and outdoors unless if you are engaging in exercise or in country parks, while group gatherings are currently capped at 12 people. However, you can still go to nightclubs and banquets.
The cost of buying a packet of mask that has 50 pieces from Qoo10 is $14.98 ($10.99 + $3.99 shipping), and you will have to order them earlier as they take a while to ship over.
Otherwise, Singapore’s Watsons sells generic blue masks at $7.20 for a packet of 30 pieces.
The key to protecting your health is to maintain strict personal hygiene at all times, as advised by the Hong Kong authorities:
- Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask.
- Perform hand hygiene frequently; especially before touching mouth, nose and eyes.
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of the soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, and then wash hands thoroughly.
- Wash your hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70-80% alcohol-based hand rub is an effective alternative.
#6 (From $32) Buy Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 To Protect Yourself From Related Expenses
Income offers standard travel insurance plans from $38.50 per adult (below 70 years old) for a single trip with Covid-19 protection.
According to Income’s website, the online travel insurance policies automatically include Covid-19 benefits. However certain travel inconveniences are not covered, such as border closures, government advisories, or the individual’s disinclination to travel.
Insurer FWD also offers a similar rate for a single trip travel insurance to Hong Kong from $32.40 per person and it comes with Covid-19 coverage.
(Additional Info To Note) What Happens When You Breach The Covid-19 Rules In Hong Kong
To curb the spread of infection, Hong Kong has enforced strict punishments on people who fail to comply to the Covid-19 rules.
Any inbound traveller to Hong Kong who does not comply with the requirement to provide information, or knowingly or recklessly provides any information that is false or misleading, is liable to the maximum penalty of a fine at level 3 (HK$10,000) and imprisonment for 6 months.
Group gatherings are capped at 12 persons and that is the maximum number of people permitted. There will be a fine of HK$25,000 and imprisonment for 6 months for any person who participates in a prohibited group gathering; organises a prohibited group gathering; owns, controls or operates the place of the gathering; and knowingly allows the gathering. Participants caught in the illegal gathering may be discharged by paying a fixed penalty of HK$5,000.
Total Covid-19 Costs Incurred (Estimated) For A 7 Day Trip To Hong Kong For A Fully Vaccinated Person/Non-Vaccinated Person
In summary, here are the total costs you will have to pay for a fully vaccinated person if you plan to travel to Hong Kong for a week-long trip and opt for the cheaper options without paying extra. (The caveat is that you don’t flout any Covid-19 rules and don’t catch the virus at any point in time there.)
Covid-19 related costs (estimated) for a 7 day trip to Hong Kong for a fully vaccinated person who opt for the cheaper options
| Vaccination (2 doses required for most vaccines) | Free |
| Pre-departure RAT before travelling to Hong Kong | $5 (self-administered test) |
| PCR test at Hong Kong airport | Free |
| PCR test on 3rd day of visit | $0 (CTCs or mobile specimen collection stations) |
| RAT for 1st 5 days of visit | $5 x 5 kits = $25 |
| Packet of mask – 30pcs | $7.20 |
| Covid-19 insurance | $32 |
| TOTAL COST: | $69.20 |
For illustration purposes, this is how much you will have to pay for if you are not vaccinated and opt for the pricier self-paid options:
Covid-19 related costs (estimated) for a 7 day trip to Hong Kong for a non-vaccinated person who doesn’t qualify for the free Singapore vaccination scheme and don’t opt for the free testing options offered by the Hong Kong government
| Vaccination (2 doses required for most vaccines) | $180 (Moderna vaccine) |
| Pre-departure RAT before travelling to Hong Kong | $20 (test at the clinic) |
| PCR test at Hong Kong airport | Free |
| PCR test on 3rd day of visit | $349 (self-paid at private institution) |
| RAT for 1st 5 days of visit | $5 x 5 kits = $25 |
| Packet of mask – 50pcs | $14.98 |
| Covid-19 insurance | $32 |
| TOTAL COST: | $620.98 |
The cost difference is pretty stark for someone who opts for free vaccines and free Covid-19 tests provided by the Singapore and Hong Kong government versus someone who does not qualify for the free vaccines in Singapore and does not opt for the public testing services in Hong Kong.
Of course, there is the notion of time equals to money for some people, and they might feel that avoiding crowded places (e.g. queueing at the CTCs) saves time and visiting private clinics work better for them.
Do remember that the cost illustrated is only calculated for 1 person. You must note that when you travel, you most likely won’t be travelling alone. If you have a family with teenage children, the costs can easily climb up to quite a significant amount so do be prepared to set aside a sum of money from your Hong Kong trip for this.
Read Also: Singapore-Desaru: How Much Does It Cost To Travel Via The Different Methods Including Ferry Service
The post Travelling to Hong Kong: Here Are 6 Covid-Related Costs You May Have To Pay For Even As Some Travel Restrictions Have Lifted appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg.
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