New Airport Rules Announced in HK; New Quarantine Hotel for Foreign Domestic Helpers

Starting next Monday, passengers from China, Taiwan, and other regions will be separated from the general public when they land at Hong Kong’s international airport, as part of the country’s COVID-19 control measures.

There will be two designated areas for arriving and departing passengers at Terminal 1. These areas will be manned by dedicated teams at the airport.

Foreign Domestic Helpers To Proceed To New Quarantine Hotel in HK

New Airport Rules Announced in HK; New Quarantine Hotel for Foreign Domestic Helpers
Credits: HKFP

The new measures were made to enhance the safety and health of the passengers at the Hong Kong International Airport, a spokesperson for the Airport Authority told HKFP.

Steven Chu, the director-general of an airport workers’ association, said on Friday that some of his members were worried about losing their late-night subsidies due to the lack of late flights from the mainland.

Aside from the usual facilities, such as restrooms and restaurants, the new hotels also have designated areas for staff members.

Arrangements For Foreign Domestic Workers

From December 8, a designated quarantine hotel will be established at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Sha Tin to house the incoming foreign domestic workers.

A 21-day quarantine in the Marriot Hong Kong Sha Tin hotel will cost HK$13,650. There are 500 rooms available for booking at this hotel.

The Sha Tin hotel will become a facility for domestic workers in Tsing Yi. There are also other establishments that cater to this kind of accommodation.

The Silka Tsuen Wan will be used for other quarantine purposes from December onwards. It was the first hotel to allow foreign domestic workers to stay.

The government understands the need of local families for foreign domestic helpers,” said a spokesperson from the Labour Department in a press statement released on Friday. “However, the global pandemic is severe and the Government must vigilantly uphold the policy of guarding against importation of cases. Foreign domestic helpers should be allowed to come to Hong Kong in a risk-controlled as well as gradual and orderly manner.”

Hong Kong reported on Friday that one imported Covid-19 infection has caused 213 deaths since the pandemic started a year ago.

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