Quarantine Exemption for Hong Kong Manufacturing

Quarantine Exemption for Hong Kong Manufacturing Operations in the Mainland

 

Businesses Operating in the Mainland May Apply for Exemption for Travel

Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region has announced that local enterprises involved in manufacturing operations can apply for quarantine exemption arrangements.

This is applicable to businesses operating in the Mainland. Hong Kong’s Trade and Industry Department (TID) are already processing applications. The new mechanism will be known as Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong (Amendment) (No.2) Regulation 2020. This started from 29 April 2020. This amends the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) (amended Regulation).

 

Quarantine Exemption for Eligible Travellers

The regulations for quarantine exemption will go on until 7 June 2020. Per the regulations, a person (or category of people) can be exempted from the quarantine requirements if the travelling person has a valid purpose that is related to the manufacturing operations and which is in the interest of developing Hong Kong’s economy.

Per the exemption provisions, the Chief Secretary for Administration has exempted the following:

• Either owner of a valid business registration certificate issued under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310), and up to one of its authorised employees; or
• Up to two authorised employees of the above enterprise.

 

The exempted individual can only travel and stay in the Mainland city where the manufacturing operations are. Precautions where personal hygiene is concerned must be taken. Social contact should be avoided unless otherwise necessary. Upon return to Hong Kong, the exempted party must undergo medical surveillance arranged by the Department of Health. They will also be required to wear masks and undergo temperature checks.

The Trade and Industry Department (TID) may refer to the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and/or the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong when processing applications. They may also refer to any other relevant departments when needed. Completed applications can be submitted to the TID via email exemption@tid.gov.hk or fax at 3525 0988.

Upon approval, a letter of authorisation will be issued along with the terms and conditions of your exemption. If you have been issued with an authorisation letter before 4 May per section 4(1)(a)(i) of the Regulation, you do not need to submit a new application. Your exemption will remain valid.