The Hong Kong government announced that it will not accept the COVID-19 vaccination cards issued by local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines FOR OFWs returning to Hong Kong for work, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday (August 10).
In a report shared by the South China Morning Post last week, an employment agencies’ group shared that the Philippines proposed using a COVID-19 vaccination certificate recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) so that OFWs, especially foreign domestic helpers, can resume work in the country.
Vaccination Cards Issued by LGUs in PH Rejected by Officials in HK
Domestic helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines, who had previously been forbidden from entering the city due to their countries’ high risk status, would be able to return provided that they had been vaccinated in Hong Kong, according to the report. Upon arrival, they will all be quarantined for 21 days in one of two hotels, the Philippine Star reported.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government is asking Hong Kong for clarity on the number of quarantine days required for a fully-vaccinated OFW to pass through.
Officials from Hong Kong and the two consulates have begun discussions on a system that will recognize the immunization records of assistants who were vaccinated in Indonesia and the Philippines.
When Hong Kong relaxes its travel ban on the Philippines, 3,000 OFWs are expected to leave, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
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