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Human Swine Influenza Situation in Hong Kong
-- Messages for Visitors and the Travel Trade
-- Messages for Visitors and the Travel Trade
Key Messages
♦ Travel and business activities as usual: Travel and business activities are as usual in Hong Kong, a cosmopolitan city of great vitality. There is no restriction on travel.
♦ Hong Kong is vigilant and prepared: The Hong Kong Government remains on high alert against the spread of H1N1. Our world-class medical services, together with the mitigation measures in place, has helped ensure that the infected will get timely treatment and prevent the spread of H1N1 within our city.
♦ No quarantine of visitors: Under the latest mitigation arrangements, confirmed H1N1 patients will no longer be quarantined and their close contacts will not be traced. Travellers with mild symptoms detected at all boundary control points will be provided with face mask and guidance notes for seeking medical consultation. Travellers with severe conditions will be taken to public hospitals for medical assessment.
♦ Keep clean, be healthy: All sectors of the travel industry, including tourist attractions, public transport, restaurants and hotels, and other tourist facilities have been adopting the highest hygiene standards and the necessary preventive measures such as enhanced disinfection of facilities. We also encourage inbound visitors to observe good personal hygiene. With all of the above, Hong Kong remains a safe and hygienic city.
♦ Travel and business activities as usual: Travel and business activities are as usual in Hong Kong, a cosmopolitan city of great vitality. There is no restriction on travel.
♦ Hong Kong is vigilant and prepared: The Hong Kong Government remains on high alert against the spread of H1N1. Our world-class medical services, together with the mitigation measures in place, has helped ensure that the infected will get timely treatment and prevent the spread of H1N1 within our city.
♦ No quarantine of visitors: Under the latest mitigation arrangements, confirmed H1N1 patients will no longer be quarantined and their close contacts will not be traced. Travellers with mild symptoms detected at all boundary control points will be provided with face mask and guidance notes for seeking medical consultation. Travellers with severe conditions will be taken to public hospitals for medical assessment.
♦ Keep clean, be healthy: All sectors of the travel industry, including tourist attractions, public transport, restaurants and hotels, and other tourist facilities have been adopting the highest hygiene standards and the necessary preventive measures such as enhanced disinfection of facilities. We also encourage inbound visitors to observe good personal hygiene. With all of the above, Hong Kong remains a safe and hygienic city.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it safe to travel or stay in Hong Kong or should I cancel my trip?
Tourism Commission 30 June 2009
1. Is it safe to travel or stay in Hong Kong or should I cancel my trip?
»It is safe to visit Hong Kong, and there is no need to cancel any trip. WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the global outbreak of H1N1. While like the rest of the world Hong Kong is not immune from H1N1, travel and business activities are as usual in Hong Kong.
2. Will I be put under quarantine in a hotel if I had close contact with those who were found infected in Hong Kong? »No. People in close contact with a H1N1 patient will not be traced or quarantined.
3. Will I be denied entry to Hong Kong if I had close contact with an infected person on a flight? »No. Flight passengers in close contact with H1N1 patients will not be traced.
4. Has Hong Kong set up any port health measures? »Yes. Current port health measures at boundary control points for inbound travellers will continue. These include health declaration, temperature screening and broadcast of health messages at control points. Port Health Office has posted notices at all exit points and will advise all departure and transfer travellers not to travel if they are having fever or flu symptoms.
5. Will I be quarantined if I had a fever or simply flu like symptoms upon my arrival at Hong Kong? »No. Travellers with mild symptoms detected at boundary control points will be provided with face mask and guidance notes for seeking medical consultation. Severe cases will be taken to public hospitals for medial examination.
6. Will the whole tour group’s itinerary be affected if one of the group members is infected? »No. Travellers in contact with a H1N1 patient will not be traced or quarantined.
7. What should I do if I had a fever or simply flu like symptoms during my stay in Hong Kong? »Local tour guides and travel agents are equipped with the necessary precaution measures. They will help tourists in need to seek medical help. The Hospital Authority has opened eight designated flu clinics for managing patients with influenza-like-illnesses. They shall cater for all patients with influenza-like symptoms (self-referred or referred by other medical practitioners), without the need for prior booking. We will ensure that all patients, whetherthey are locals or visitors, receive timely and the appropriate treatment. Medical charges at public clinics will be waived if a traveller is referred by the Hong Kong Department of Health on public health reasons.
8. Do I, as a traveller, have to pay for the relevant medical charges if admitted to a public hospital or clinic for medical check or treatment in relation to H1N1? »Medical charges for attendance at public hospitals/clinics for medical examination will be waived if a traveller is referred by the Hong Kong Department of Health on public health reasons. If he/she is eventually confirmed to be infected with H1N1, he/she will be advised whether hospitalisation is required based on his/her clinical conditions. If a patient chooses treatment at a hospital, he/she has to pay the medical charges for hospitalisation.
9. What is the latest situation about the infections in Hong Kong? »The flu appears to be relatively mild so far, and the current medical treatment is effective. As on 29 June 2009, the total number of H1N1 cases in Hong Kong was 726. Only seven confirmed patients are under treatment in hospitals and their conditions are stable. (The Centre for Health Protection will update the situation every day. Please check the latest situation at www.chp.gov.hk)
10. How can I get the latest information about H1N1-related matters in Hong Kong? »Please visit the website of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) (www.chp.gov.hk) or call its hotline (852) 2125-1111 for comprehensive health advice for visitors and travel agents. Meanwhile, the Visitor Centres of Hong Kong Tourism Board at major ports of entry and in the city centre, as well as its website (www.discoverhongkong.com) and visitor hotline (852) 2508-1234, stand by to provide visitors with assistance and the most up-to-date information about the city.
Tourism Commission 30 June 2009
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