Explainer | Arriving in Hong Kong and unsure about city’s vaccine pass scheme? Here’s what you need to know

From Thursday, all those entering the city will be issued with a ‘provisional vaccine pass’ QR code together with a compulsory quarantine order at border checkpoints

Inbound travellers can declare infection details at the Department of Health’s online platform and their proof will be checked upon arrival

Reading Time:3 minutes

International travellers are now allowed to enter Hong Kong again. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 3:04pm, 5 May 2022Updated: 10:29pm, 5 May 2022

Hong Kong ended its entry ban on overseas travellers on May 1 but under the city’s vaccine pass scheme, arrivals may find they cannot enter certain premises from the end of the month if they have not received three doses of a Covid-19 shot.

Health authorities on Wednesday announced they would issue a “provisional vaccine pass” to arrivals. Here are the new arrangements.

1. What is a ‘provisional vaccine pass’?

Under the first phase of the city’s vaccine pass scheme introduced on February 24, those aged 12 and above had to show proof of having received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine when entering government venues and 23 other types of premises, including restaurants and shopping centres.

For the purpose of the scheme, several methods are available for a person to present their vaccination records to enter premises, including using the government’s “Leave Home Safe”, “iAM Smart” or “eHealth” mobile applications. A printed local vaccination record with QR code can also be used.

Under the second phase, which commenced on April 30, residents aged 12 or above must have received their second jab, and their third or booster shot by May 31 when the third phase starts. Recovered Covid-19 patients do not need to take a booster shot. They can use their recovery record QR code, which serves as a substitute for one dose of a vaccine.

A user scans a mall’s QR code into the ‘Leave Home Safe’ on his mobile phone. Photo: Edmond So

Inbound travellers – both Hong Kong residents and visitors – who may only have received two doses, can declare their non-local vaccination or recovery records to the authorities, and they will be issued with a provisional vaccine pass. It is valid for 180 days from the arrival date.