Labour Department

2022-02-22

The Government announced today (February 22) that starting from March 1, all foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) coming to work in Hong Kong may choose to undertake compulsory quarantine at both designated quarantine facilities (DQFs) or designated quarantine hotels (DQHs).

A Government spokesperson said, "All overseas places are Group A specified places and all inbound travellers from overseas places are subject to the same quarantine arrangements, including undertaking compulsory quarantine for 14 days at a DQH. As such, starting from March 1, all FDHs coming to work in Hong Kong may, apart from choosing to undertake compulsory quarantine at DQFs, choose to undertake compulsory quarantine at DQHs as with other inbound travellers from overseas places."

"Besides, in view of the severe local fifth wave epidemic, the Government has implemented the Community Isolation Facility (CIF) Hotel Scheme to provide isolated accommodation to people tested positive for COVID-19 but have no or mild symptoms. After reviewing the situation, the Government decided to convert Regala Skycity Hotel (Regala) and iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel, which are originally serving as DQFs for FDHs, into CIFs in conjunction with the implementation of the above Scheme. People currently residing in these two hotels will be transferred to other DQF/DQHs. The hotels will inform those affected one by one. As for the FDHs who have reserved for staying at these facilities from March 1 onwards, employers or employment agencies (EAs) should reserve other DQFs/DQHs for these FDHs. Room fees already paid will be fully refunded. The Government would like to thank FDHs, employers and EAs for their understanding and cooperation."

The hotels will inform those affected one by one, and make the following arrangements for FDHs residing or who will be checking into Regala or iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel to undertake compulsory quarantine:

1. The Government will arrange for the FDHs checking into Regala before March 1 to transfer to Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin (Courtyard by Marriott) to continue with the quarantine.FDHs, employers or EAs concerned need not separately reserve a room for the FDHs to continue with the quarantine.Regala will refund the paid room fees for the remaining days of quarantine.Courtyard by Marriottwill then inform the employers or EAs one by one to collect the room fees for the remaining days of quarantine.The Government will bear any difference in room rates.Nevertheless, for FDHs whose quarantine completion date as specified on the compulsory quarantine order falls before February 24, they will continue to complete the quarantine at Regala.
2. For FDHs who are originally checking into Regala or iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel on or after March 1, the hotels will refund the paid room fees in full.Employers or EAs may make a reservation at other DQFs/DQHs.

Employers or EAs may press here to refer to the information of all DQHs. The list of other DQFs is at Annex.

When making the room reservation at DQFs/DQHs, the FDH's passport copy, a valid employment visa and a recognised vaccination record must be made available. The reservation process is completed upon issuance of a booking confirmation by the facility/hotel. FDHs will need to provide the above documents for verification upon check-in.

The dedicated FDH Portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk) set up by the Labour Department (LD) provides information and useful links relating to the quarantine arrangements of FDHs. Should there be any problem concerning the reservation for DQFs/DQHs for FDHs, please contact the LD through its 24-hour hotline at 2717 1771 (manned by 1823) or by email tofdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk.

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Ends/Tuesday, February 22, 2022