JNelson113

Thank you, yes I'd love feedback once you go.

:D!

I went to HK for just under 2 weeks for the first time in 3 years.

Exactly this, 0+3 is a misnomer, or at least it is only relevant to people who live in HK.

For my friends who live in HK, 2.5 days where they can't go to restaurants is not an issue. They don't care if they test positive on day 6 because they can simply work from home for a week, if they aren't already permanently wfh - don't book a second overseas trip within 14 days of returning just in case. Also obtaining a certificate of previous infection, perhaps illicitly (maybe they were just joking) means they won't need to stay at home even if all the tests are positive!

For visitors, as in anyone who doesn't actually live in HK, whether or not you are legally an "HK resident", it's really 0+6.

I've become used to things in the UK and Europe being less busy during covid, but social distancing doesn't exist in HK. I forgot how crowded the MTR can get. When you are that close to other people for an extended period, even highly effective masks may not stop you getting infected, if one of the people close to you has the virus; and not everyone wears a highly effective mask nor do they wear them properly.

I therefore didn't go out much for the first week, but that was the plan anyway. I did most of my important in-person errands on the day of arrival, then I needed to do some things at home. The socialising and shopping (courtesy of HK taxpayers ) could wait until day 6.

From day 3-7 I actually got sick with covid-like symptoms. While it turned out to not be covid, waiting for the PCR results was anxiety-inducing as they took up to 24 hours. Only after doing the test on day 6 was I "free".

HK seems the same as before apart from masks and being discreet if discussing politics. My house is near to the mainland border, so one main difference is that it's peaceful and quiet outside of rush hours because there are no more mainland goods traders. But schoolchildren around that area now speak Mandarin to each other. Apparently there is/was some government incentive for electric cars, so all of my friends now have Teslas, and of course HK was not immune to worldwide inflation.

889

Don't forget the Government is still issuing compulsory testing notices against residential premises, about 50 each day. So you're not necessarily free if you get by your first week.

kirkwoodj

The slight relaxation of rules from yesterday was not enough for me to cancel my trip in 3 weeks, will now join meeting virtually from another place in a similar time zone...

889

Next summer. Yes, next summer. Maybe.

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/break...ff-next-summer

kirkwoodj

Byebye economy

tauphi

Only residential buildings, not hotels so it looks like travellers should be safe from this.

889

What counts isn't whether you're living in the specified premises but whether you spent more than two hours there during the designated period.

https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ctn_20221113.pdf

crmro996

Hello guys !
I just have a question, anyone had the same situation? I have an incoming trip to Hongkong and wondering if I need to stay in a hotel or am I be able to stay with my relatives who has an accomodation there.

last time I travelled in Hongkong was pre-covid and I was able to stay with them. Now I don’t know if this still works as the covid changes everything. Thank you for your help!

maalloc

You can stay wherever you want… as long as you don’t turn PCR+.
Otherwise, unless you have your own room and bathroom, it’s either hotel quarantine or Penny’s bay.

889

The Day 5 and 7 PCR tests are being eliminated as of November 21.

maalloc

Boarding pass to HKG in hand, your post could not sound sweeter to my ears !

percysmith

Still compulsory RAT tests on every other day other than day 2 until day 7. Truly going thru the motions.

maalloc

Incarceration at Penny's bay risk is way lower with self-administered RATs... I do take it as a win.

It does change drastically the risk/reward of eating out and meeting people from day 3 to day 7 as RATs are unlikely to turn positive on this timeframe.

It's not "lying down", but it sure looks like a "look the other way" strategy.

kirkwoodj

Promising news, now down (up?) to 50-50 on risk of going in early December