DDHK.ORG - The Hong Kong government stipulates that foreign domestic workers who come to Hong Kong from 12 August onwards will be subject to mandatory quarantine in designated quarantine hotels for three days, followed by medical supervision at home for four days. This policy was conveyed by an official from the Ministry of Manpower, Wednesday (10/8/2022).
Under the “3+4” rule, days when foreign domestic workers arrive in Hong Kong with the first nucleic acid test performed are considered day zero. Furthermore, they are required to undergo mandatory quarantine for three nights at a designated quarantine hotel.
“They have to undergo a daily rapid antigen test (RAT) and must undergo a nucleic acid test on the second day. Those who test negative successively will be deemed to have completed the mandatory quarantine by the morning of the third day," the Hong Kong government website said.
The foreign domestic workers will then undergo medical supervision at their employer's residence for four nights and must undergo daily RAT. After getting a negative RAT result on the fourth and sixth day of arrival in Hong Kong, they are required to undergo a nucleic acid test on the same day at a community testing center or mobile specimen collection station. They can also arrange for self-test at a local medical institution recognized by the Government.
During the 4-day period of medical supervision, foreign domestic workers can work at their employer's residence and leave the house after obtaining a negative RAT result on that day. They can use public transport, enter supermarkets and markets, but they will be subject to code yellow restrictions under Vaccine Pass, which means they cannot enter high-risk places that involve mandatory masking or group activities, as well as other places that require primary protection.
Those who test negative successively will be deemed to have completed medical surveillance on the morning of the seventh day upon arrival in Hong Kong. They will also undergo self-monitoring for the next three days and must undergo daily RAT until day 10. They are also required to have a final nucleic acid test on day ninth.
In view of the circumstances of each family, the Labor Commissioner has given in-principle approval to employers to arrange for their foreign domestic workers to stay in licensed hotels or guesthouses that are not quarantine hotels to complete four days of medical supervision and another three days.
"There is no need to make an application to the department to make such an arrangement," the Hong Kong government wrote.
As for foreign domestic workers who have completed at least three nights of quarantine in designated hotels before 12 August, the Government has arranged for them to leave the hotel in an orderly manner on or before 12 August, after confirming their negative nucleic acid test results. After that, they must undergo medical supervision at home, code yellow restrictions, as well as compliance with the testing requirements above.
To complement the new quarantine measures, the Government will streamline boarding procedures to Hong Kong, as well as quarantine and testing of arrivals. “For inquiries about quarantine arrangements for foreign domestic workers, contact the department via the 24-hour hotline at 2717 1771 (manned by 1823), email or online form.” [Source: news.gov.hk][DDHKNews]
