COVID-19 Related Arrangements for Exchange/Study Abroad Students
(UPDATED AS AT 28 November 2022)

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has imposed several policies and requirements for inbound travelers considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  To help students keep track of the latest updates and plan their trip to Hong Kong, we have to the best of our knowledge put together a list of useful information and websites below.  With the fluid and unpredictable nature of the pandemic, these policies and requirements may change frequently.  We strongly urge students to read each of these webpages carefully as they contain important information on requirements when entering Hong Kong, and to visit this webpage and the HKSAR Government dedicated website on COVID-19 regularly to stay up-to-date on the latest inbound travel policies and requirements.

1. Pre-departure
   Before departing for Hong Kong, note the relevant boarding and testing requirements.  Your airline should also be able to provide comprehensive information as well.
   1. Testing arrangement for COVID-19
      Travelers from Taiwan and all other overseas places are required to have a negative RAT result (can be self-administered or by professional swab sampling) conducted within 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure and declare via the Health Declaration Form. Travelers from the Mainland or Macao under the Come2hk scheme are not required to show RAT test result but recommended to take one before travelling to Hong Kong.  Please refer to this webpage for applicable information.
   2. List of COVID-19 vaccines recognized by HKSAR government
      Inbound travelers should normally be fully vaccinated. Refer to this list for recognized vaccines and required doses for travel into Hong Kong.
   3. Medical Surveillance and Self-monitoring
      Colleges, I-House and Postgraduate Hall (PGH) at CUHK allow students to undergo medical surveillance and self-monitoring. During this time, you may move around the city and do not need to be confined to a room. You can also spend the period off-campus, however, not all hotels welcome guests under medical surveillance and/or self-monitoring. Tentatively the earliest hostel check-in date into the CUHK student hostels is 3 January 2023.
   4. Health Declaration Form
      1. All inbound travelers are required to complete the online Health Declaration of the Department of Health (DH) (www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/).
      2. All persons boarding flights to Hong Kong from overseas places or Taiwan are required to submit the form online prior to boarding. After submitting the online form, the system will generate a health declaration QR code. Please save the health declaration QR code after completion of the declaration (which can be a downloadable version of the QR code, a screen shot or a printout) and present at check-in for verification by airlines for boarding.
2. Arrival
   COVID-19 testing arrangements upon arrival in Hong Kong can be found here.
   1. Arrival via Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)
      After landing, you will proceed to the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) in the restricted area for COVID-19 testing (PCR) and can proceed with immigration and customs clearance, collect your luggage and leave the airport. You can take public transport or self-arranged transport to return to the CUHK student hostel or off-campus accommodation in Hong Kong.  If you test positive on the PCR, you will be notified by the Health authorities before being transferred to suitable isolation and treatment facilities arranged by the Government.  Notify your student advisor through email as soon as possible if you test positive.
      Tips:
      1. Carry with you printed documents including vaccination records, RAT test results and other relevant information such as COVID-19 recovery letter/proof.
      2. Keep forms and documents given to you after immigration and testing in a safe place.
      3. Charge your phone and bring an external battery. Free Wi-Fi is available at HKIA.
      4. Download the LeaveHomeSafe app. The officers at control points will give you a QR code generated from your non-local vaccination details for uploading to the LeaveHomeSafe app as the Vaccine Pass.  Staff may scan your Vaccine Pass when you enter applicable premises.
      5. Bring a light jacket or scarf as the waiting area at HKIA can get cold.
   2. Arrival via Come2HK Scheme for students from mainland China or Macao
      If you are traveling from mainland China or Macao under the Come2HK Scheme, please refer to the arrival details
      Tips:
      1. Carry with you printed documents including vaccination records and other relevant information such as recovery letter/proof from COVID-19.
      2. Keep forms and documents after immigration and testing in a safe place.
      3. Download the LeaveHomeSafe app. The officers at control points will give you a QR code generated from your non-local vaccination details for uploading to the LeaveHomeSafe app as the Vaccine Pass.  Staff may scan your Vaccine Pass when you enter applicable premises.
   3. Additional Information on Medical Surveillance/Self-monitoring
      • Arrival via HKIA
        You will undergo daily rapid antigen tests (RATs) and undergo PCR test on Day 2 at the community testing centre during the medical surveillance period. During the medical surveillance period, you are subject to Amber Code restrictions under Vaccine Pass, i.e. restricted from entering high risk places such as restaurants, bars, movie theatres, gyms, places of worship, etc.  If you test negative consecutively, you can complete medical surveillance with Amber Code restrictions ending at 9 a.m. of Day 3.  Coming to the campus and going to classes will not be affected. You will undergo daily RATs in the subsequent 4 days during the self-monitoring period. If you test positive during the medical surveillance or self-monitoring period, please inform hostel staff and your student advisor as soon as possible.
      • Arrival via Come2HK
        You will undergo daily rapid antigen tests (RATs) and undergo PCR test on Day 2 at the community testing centre during the 3-day self-monitoring period.  For persons who have stayed in any place on the list of at-risk places on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or the 7 days before that day, they are required to undergo an extra nucleic acid test on Day 1. The day of a person’s arrival at Hong Kong will be regarded as Day 0 for counting purpose.  If you test positive during the self-monitoring period, please inform hostel staff and your student advisor as soon as possible.The day of a person’s arrival at Hong Kong will be regarded as Day 0 for counting purpose.  Inbound persons requiring medical surveillance can report their daily RAT result and health status via the “Electronic COVID-19 Medical Surveillance System” (eCMSS) during the medical surveillance and self-monitoring period.  Click here for log in instructions.  If you test positive during the self-monitoring period, please inform hostel staff and your student advisor as soon as possible.
3. During your study period
   1. Access CUHK campus and hostel
      To enter the CUHK campus / live on campus, you must be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.  Students who are not vaccinated due to medical reasons must provide proof of medical exemption and undergo weekly self-testing at their own cost.  Students will be asked to upload their vaccination records and/or weekly self-testing result via the COVID-19 Vaccination/Regular Testing Report System (VTR).  On your first visit to the campus, you will need to present your passport for registration and scan both the LeaveHomeSafe app and your Vaccine Pass to gain access.  After your CU Link card (student card) is issued, you can use it to access the campus.  The LeaveHomeSafe app and Vaccine Pass will be needed to access facilities such as canteens on campus and other premises in the city.  More instructions on this will be provided in due course.
   2. Mandatory mask wearing in public places
      Masking on all public transport and in public places is mandatory.  Masking is not required while eating, drinking and exercising (indoor and outdoor).
   3. COVID-19 vaccination programme in Hong Kong
      Students wishing to receive a booster shot in Hong Kong can register for the programme at any post office (except mobile post offices) after arrival.  Only BioNTech and Sinovac vaccines are available so consult your family physician about suitability beforehand.  Details are available on this webpage.
   4. COVID-19 testing centers and fees
      From time to time, you may be required to take a PCR test.  This will be free at government run testing centers if you have a testing order, otherwise you may go to the following places:
      COVID-19 Community Testing Centres (Public), HK$240 per test (as of 28 November 2022)

If you have any questions about traveling to Hong Kong, please contact one of our Student Advisors.

Americas region (including ISEP): Alex Chau (alexchaukw@cuhk.edu.hk)
Europe and South Africa region: Arisa Lai (arisalai@cuhk.edu.hk)
Asia and Oceania: Vicky Cheng (vickycheng@cuhk.edu.hk)

We look forward to seeing you in Hong Kong!