Latest inbound control arrangement for foreign domestic helpers
2022-12-08
The Labour Department (LD) today (December 8) reminded foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and employers that the Government will adjust the inbound control arrangement for overseas inbound persons with effect from December 9 (Friday).
An LD spokesman said, "Currently FDHs are required to undergo nucleic acid tests on the date of arrival at Hong Kong and on Day 2 after arrival. They have to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) every day until Day 7 after arrival in Hong Kong, and can only leave the place of stay after obtaining a negative result. Starting from tomorrow, FDHs coming to work in Hong Kong on or after December 2 are only required to undergo daily RATs until Day 5 after arrival. The testing requirement of undergoing nucleic acid test upon arrival and on Day 2 after arrival remains unchanged. In view of the conditions of individual families, the Commissioner for Labour has given in-principle approval for employers to choose to arrange FDHs to stay at licensed hotels or guesthouses during those five days. It is not necessary to make an application to the LD. If employers arrange FDHs to stay in licensed hotels or guesthouses, they should bear the accommodation expenses and provide food allowance to FDHs for that period."
As for FDHs arriving Hong Kong before December 9 and are still staying at licensed hotels or guesthouses for the three-day medical surveillance and four-day self-monitoring, they are allowed to continue to stay at the hotel or guesthouse for not more than seven days to complete the surveillance and monitoring. The list of licensed hotels and guesthouses can be found here.
If an FDH cannot work in his/her employer's residence as a result of the employer's arrangement to have the FDH stay at a licensed hotel or guesthouse during the above-mentioned period, the employer should pay the FDH a sum equivalent to the remuneration that the FDH would have earned if he/she had worked for that period.
Upon arrival, FDHs are subject to Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass. They can work at the employers' residence and go out to conduct daily essential activities of lower risk, e.g. taking transport, entering supermarkets and markets, etc., though they are not allowed to enter high-risk premises involving mask-off or group activities, as well as other premises requiring key protection (For details, please click here). Upon receipt of consecutive negative test results, the FDHs' Vaccine Pass will be changed to Blue Code on Day 3 after arrival at Hong Kong.
Separately, the requirements of inbound FDHs presenting a proof of negative result of a RAT conducted within 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure and completing the online Health & Quarantine Information Declaration of the Department of Health (www.chp.gov.hk/hdf) prior to boarding a flight remain unchanged.
For details of the above arrangement, please refer to the press release issued by the Government on December 8 (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202212/08/P2022120800701.htm).
The dedicated FDH portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk) of the LD also provides information and useful links relating to inbound control arrangement for FDHs. Should there be enquiries on the inbound control arrangement for FDHs, please contact the LD through its 24-hour hotline at 2717 1771 (manned by 1823), by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk or through the online form on the dedicated portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk).
