Conkers

Yes indeed but a step in the right direction and with quarantine now 7 days rather than 21 or 14 I imagine room availability will start to improve rapidly.

Pickles

One would hope, but it's also a question of Say's Law: how much additional supply is going to stimulate additional inbound demand? It could make things worse if people previously on the sidelines decide to head to Hong Kong now that it's easier to get in.

Conkers

That’s true.

percysmith

We still have no give on the other three restrictions to inbound travel - flight suspension mechanism for bringing in too many infected, crew testing requirements for inbound crew and crew quarantine restrictions for local crew.

brunos

Apparently the 14-day suspension will be reduced to 7-day.
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...gtype=homepage
But wait for official confirmation and it is still totally illogica,l though.

percysmith

Flight suspension 14 day —> 7 day. Not sure if any help to inbound https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/27/P2022032700005.htm

Carfield

So the new rule states that if one flight has more than three passengers tested positive on arrival and/or one passenger with incomplete documents, that flight will be suspended for 7 days. At least it is no longer accumulative. Cathay Pacific can at least start weekly flight, instead of bi-weekly flight.

I am actually more interested in the crew quarantine rules. If they just quarantine for 7 days, that will allow Cathay to run a bit more flights.
Transit situation is still not ideal given the suspension rules, and I don't recommend anyone booking any transit flights on CX in the near future or for the rest of the year and even first half of 2023.

If you live outside of Hong Kong, you feel that life is moving to normal, so you want to book award flights on CX to other Asian countries. However, Hong Kong has not moved forward and I don't expect any changes. it is smart to avoid CX for any award travels now, especially if you MUST travel. If you are just trying your luck, you can do it, but don't book non-refundable hotel stays, and please expect your CX trips mostly not happening even for early 2023.

Carfield

lesteryen

Sorry if this question has been asked many times, but I would like to ask if the following persons can enter Hong Kong now for short term visit (visiting grandparents)?
(a) Wife of Hong Kong permanent resident who is non-Chinese.
(b) Son of Hong Kong permanent resident born overseas.

Per CX's website, they mentioned that spouse of Hong Kong resident and their children can enter Hong Kong, but I am not able to find any information on the Immigration Department's website.
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...trictions.html

Looks like CX has been mostly selling full fare tickets on their extra flight LHR-HKG.

Many thanks for all of your kind assistance.

littlevoices

As far as I am aware only residents are allowed to enter under the current restrictions. However, in both of these cases I believe you can look into making them dependents and therefore getting them a proper visa (which it sounds like you'd be entitled to). Once that is granted they could then enter as a resident for any reason: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services...dependant.html

I'm not sure if this is entirely what you want, as it will be slower, but I think that is the only option (source: people's discussions about making parents/grandparents to be dependents so that they can visit, an option that is not available to non-permanent residents)

brunos

You might find useful information here:
https://web.facebook.com/groups/2788...1434099892409/

Also search that group.
An email to immd seems the fastes reliable way.

Modo

This arrived in my inbnox a few hours ago. Given the chat about the effect on quarantine in to HK if passengers on a flight test positive it begs a huge number of questions about the implications for transiting passengers at their final destination!!From 1 April, travel restrictions will be relaxed to allow flights originating from the United Kingdom to enter and transit through Hong Kong. We're actively working on resuming more flights for our customers from this date.

If your final destination is Hong Kong:
Fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents will now be permitted entry with a reduced seven nights in a dedicated quarantine hotel; whilst other requirements including pre-departure PCR testing and travel declaration forms remain in place. We've collated all the key information in our step-by-step Hong Kong travel checklist.

If you're heading further afield:

The Hong Kong Airport transit ban will also be lifted, allowing you to fly from London Heathrow, Manchester, or elsewhere in Europe and connect through Hong Kong to onward destinations including Australia, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia and many more. Be sure to check out our worldwide travel restrictions for the latest destination requirements.

Kongduino

Indeed. Most residents, permanent or not, can sponsor their spouse, and their unmarried, minor children, for residency. Once ImmD issues a dependant visa, the dependant can fly to HK (carrying that very precious sticker in the passport). On top of that PR, whether Chinese of foreigners, can sponsor their parents, as long as they're above 60 yo.

But just being family of a resident, even if eligible, will not be enough to be considered a resident. One has to go through the process of getting a dependant visa. The process is not the fastest at the best of times, and with government services halted, and restarting on April 1, count about 2 months before a visa could be issued. And they will have to apply for a HKID card rapidly after entering HK. Failure to do so has its own consequences.

:D!

It would seem that children under 12 are allowed:

https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/i...paniedChildren

Quote:

For persons who have stayed in any place outside China, Hong Kong residents who have been fully vaccinated and hold a recognised vaccination record may board flights for Hong Kong. For Hong Kong residents or children of Hong Kong residents aged under 12 who are yet to be vaccinated, they can also board flights for Hong Kong if they are accompanied by Hong Kong residents who fulfilled the boarding requirements.

Visconti

Prudent and good advice.

Upon this announcement, I booked some flights (just have a stash of Asiamiles I have to use) near Christmas time hoping that it'll be ok by then. If by some miracle I can enter HK, it'll be a bonus. Will most likely be leaving from France where having to unexpectedly prolong the duration of my leisure trip wouldn't be the end of the world, but may actually be a blessing.

blum81

Step in the right direction. I hope they allow transiting to/from Southeast Asia to Canada soon.