ExplainerWho can skip quarantine in Hong Kong? A closer look at Covid-19 rules after Nicole Kidman saga

Hong Kong has imposed some of the strictest measures in the world to control the spread of Covid-19, with travellers required to quarantine in designated hotels for up to 21 days. But the government’s decision to let Hollywood star Nicole Kidman skip quarantine has sparked outrage, after she was seen visiting a fashion boutique in Central two days after arriving. Below, the Post unpacks what you need to know about quarantine exemptions in Hong Kong. Who can be exempted? The government grants quarantine exemption to certain groups of people, including government officials, directors of listed companies, cross-border truck drivers, diplomats, and experts who are engaged in Covid-19 research for the government. Such exemption is subject to the approval of the chief secretary, the city’s No 2 official. A health regulation spells out the criteria for exempting people arriving from foreign places from quarantine. This covers people entering Hong Kong to supply goods or services required for the operation of the city; for a necessary government operation; to protect the health and safety of Hongkongers; or because of the exceptional circumstances of the case that serves the public interest of the city. Nicole Kidman not alone in being granted Hong Kong quarantine exemption People whose travel is “necessary for purposes relating to manufacturing operations, business activities or the provision of professional services in the interests of Hong Kong’s economic development” can also be exempted from quarantine. Separately, the Return2HK scheme allows as many as 5,000 residents to enter the city from mainland China and Macau each day without undergoing quarantine after taking a Covid-19 test in the 72 hours before their arrival. But earlier this month, the government suspended the programme for all residents except those coming from neighbouring Guangdong province, in a bid to prevent the latest Covid-19 outbreak across the border from spreading to the city. What is required of those who ask for quarantine exemption? Exempted persons must test negative for Covid-19 within 48 hours before the scheduled departure time of their flight to Hong Kong. They are also required to submit a deep-throat saliva sample at the airport and wait for their results at a location designated by the Department of Health. They can only use the designated channels and pickup points at the airport, travel point-to-point to places of their designated activities specified in the exemption application, and must stay off public transport. But those who enter via land border checkpoints would need to test negative for Covid-19 on the day they come in or within 72 hours before the arrival date. Exempted persons are required to undergo regular testing during their stay in Hong Kong. Those who breach the rules could have their exemption status revoked. They are also liable to a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and six months in jail. Senior finance, banking and insurance executives must be fully vaccinated to be eligible for exemption. They can only go to places that are stated in itineraries submitted to and approved by the authorities earlier. How many people have been exempted? The government last month issued 41,225 notifications of medical surveillance to people returning from other parts of China or overseas and were exempted from quarantine. While the figure is not equivalent to the total number of exempted persons – because a person can receive more than one notice in a month – it serves as a reference to give the public an idea of how frequent the exemption is granted. The Food and Health Bureau has listed 12 categories of people arriving from foreign places who are eligible for exemption. They include aircrew, sea crew and business executives. Film workers, however, are not part of the 12 groups. According to the bureau, “one to two” people who do not fall into the 12 categories each day on average will be allowed to skip quarantine. Apart from February last year when more than 93,000 notifications were issued, the number of such documents handed out ranged from around 34,000 to roughly 53,000 each month. Cross-border goods vehicle drivers, aircrew and sea crew made up the majority of people exempted from quarantine. What are some controversies over exemptions given? Hollywood star Nicole Kidman made headlines in Hong Kong this week after she was allowed to enter the city for a television production without quarantine but was seen visiting a boutique two days after arrival. Kidman flew from Sydney, Australia – which is currently battling a Delta variant outbreak – last Thursday. She was exempted from quarantine to carry out “designated professional work”, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said. The exception made for Kidman sparked public outrage in a city where residents have had to endure stringent quarantine requirements when returning from Australia and other countries such as Britain and the United States. Bureau chief Edward Yau Tang-wah said on Friday that Kidman and four other members of her team had submitted their itinerary for approval and they had to observe a set of requirements including regular testing. He said no breach had been found so far. Yau said the itinerary included costume fitting and rehearsals, but did not make it clear whether her visit to the boutique was part of “costume fitting”. Cathay strikes aircrew quarantine deal over flights to ‘high-risk’ places Exemptions given to sea or aircrew members were found to be the possible cause of the third wave of the pandemic in Hong Kong, which lasted from July to September 2020. Unrestricted crew changes in local waters had also been allowed before July 29 last year, which meant ships without any cargo trade via Hong Kong were allowed to change their crew in the city. The quarantine exemption granted to family members of a Saudi Arabian consulate employee had also caused uproar in the city last month. Three children of the family, who were required to self-isolate at home, were found to have violated the rules as they were later confirmed with Covid-19. In the time between their arrival and confirmation of the infection, they had visited various locations such as shopping centres and restaurants. What are the rules in other places? Singapore will unilaterally lift the quarantine requirements for travellers from Hong Kong and Macau. Short-term visitors including business and official travellers from the two cities, as well as mainland China, New Zealand and Taiwan can enter the country without quarantine, as long as they have tested negative for Covid-19. They have to arrive on a direct flight and download the local contact-tracing app to benefit from the new measure. The new rules take effect on August 26. Meanwhile, Australia allows government officials and foreign diplomats to apply for exemption and isolate themselves at home for 14 days, while exceptions can be made for individuals on medical or compassionate grounds and considered on a case-by-case basis. Hong Kong urged to exempt more from quarantine as helpers claim discrimination Britain offers a host of exemptions to various sectors, industries and organisations wishing to avoid either quarantine or taking a range of Covid-19 tests. Among such groups are business directors “bringing significant numbers of jobs and investment to [Britain]”. Application for exemption must be made to the government in advance. The United States allows a number of exceptions to be made for travel, including for foreign students, journalists, aircrew and those aiding or offering “vital support for critical infrastructure sectors or supply chains”. Additional reporting by Danny Lee