Outbound Travel Alert

The Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) System aims to help people better understand the risk or threat to personal safety in travelling to 88 countries/territories that are the more popular travel destinations for Hong Kong residents (HKRs). When there are signs of threat in a place that may affect the personal safety of HKRs, the Security Bureau will assess and consider the need to issue an OTA taking into account factors such as the nature (e.g. whether it is targeted at travellers), level and duration of the threat. Should there be public health reasons, based on the alert level as advised by the Food and Health Bureau, the Security Bureau will issue an OTA on countries/territories seriously affected by infectious diseases to help the public better understand the possible health risks.

OTA Currently in Force





Other Information

For travel advice or related information on foreign countries, you may:



download the mobile app of "Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12308" (Chinese only) ;







connect to WeChat of Consular Services of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Chinese only); or







connect to Weibo of Consular Services of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Chinese only)









You may also visit the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, or the databases compiled by the Australian, Canadian and the UK governments:





For information on travel to other parts of China, you may visit:





Travel Health Advice from the Department of Health



Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Updated: 28/08/2020)



The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and declared on March 11 that the COVID-19 outbreak can be described as a pandemic. Symptoms of COVID-19 are mainly fever and cough, while some patients presented with shortness of breath and were in serious condition.



Transmission of COVID-19 virus has been increasing in many parts of the world since late February. In late August 2020, about 24 million cases were reported in more than 200 countries/areas. Large scale outbreaks are occurring in many places.



The Department of Health strongly urges members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.



Restrictions on Entering Hong Kong



With effect from March 25, 2020 until further notice:

- All non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas countries and regions by plane will be denied entry to Hong Kong; and

- Non-Hong Kong residents coming from the Mainland, Macao and Taiwan will be denied entry to Hong Kong if they have been to any overseas countries and regions in the past 14 days.



Compulsory Quarantine



Inbound travellers from the Mainland, Macao or Taiwan (including Hong Kong and non-Hong Kong residents) have to stay at designated places (home or other accommodation) for compulsory quarantine.



Hong Kong residents arriving in Hong Kong who have been to any overseas countries or areas in the past 14 days are subject to compulsory quarantine.



For details, please see:



Webpage of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health

Countries/areas with reported cases of COVID-19

World Health Organization COVID-19 situation reports





Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)



The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on July 17, 2019. The public should avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas. During travel, they should observe good personal and environmental hygiene, and avoid contact with feverish or sick patients, blood or body fluids of patients and contaminated items, as well as animals.



For details, please see:



EVD page of the Department of Health

Travel Health News on EVD

Latest announcements by WHO





Measles



The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health reminds the public to observe good personal and environmental hygiene when travelling to places with high incidence or outbreak of measles.



Immunisation against measles is the most effective way to prevent the disease. People who intend to travel to places with high incidence or outbreak of measles are advised to review their vaccination history and past medical history. For those with incomplete vaccination, unknown vaccination history or unknown immunity against measles, they are advised to consult their doctor for advice on measles vaccination.



For details, please see:



Measles page of the Department of Health

Travel Health News on Measles





Zika virus infection



Outbreaks of Zika virus infection have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. For countries and areas with Zika virus transmission, please see the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health webpage.



Travellers should avoid mosquito bites during the trip, and take precautions to prevent sexual transmission of Zika virus during and after the trip. Use of mosquito repellent containing DEET during travel to and returning from affected areas for a period of at least 21 days are advised for all travellers. Pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika virus transmission.



For further details, please see:



Latest information issued by the Department of Health

Latest announcements by the World Health Organization





Middle East Respiratory Syndrome



The Department of Health advises travellers in the Middle East to avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry, and avoid unnecessary visit to healthcare facilities.



For further details, please see:



Latest information issued by the Department of Health

Latest announcements by the World Health Organization





Latest travel health news of global destinations



The Travel Health Service website of the Port Health Office of the Department of Health provides the latest disease outbreak alerts at specific destinations.For details, please visit:



Travel Health News

Destinations



Other Useful Links





Related Matters

1. Before travelling abroad, Individuals should understand clearly the arrangements of the outbound tour and the coverage of the insurance policy before entering into any contracts with or purchasing any products or services from the service providers or suppliers.

2. Employers and employees are encouraged to come up with prior work arrangements or understanding on the need for the latter to undertake business visits to a place where an OTA is in force. For details, please see Guide to Good People Management Practices of the Labour Department.

3. HKRs who are abroad should pay attention to their personal safety. Those who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline (852) 1868 of the Immigration Department. For HKRs who are Chinese nationals, they may also call the 24-hour consular protection hotline (8610) 12308 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China or contact the Chinese Embassy/Chinese Consulate-General in their destination. The telephone numbers and addresses of the Chinese Embassies/Chinese Consulates-General overseas can be obtained from the Immigration Department (Tel: (852) 2824 6111) or Website:

http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/ziliao/wjgmc/.

4. For health-related risks during outbound travel, please visit the relevant websites of the Department of Health (http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html).

Important Reminder

HKRs are encouraged to make reference to the OTA (if any) before travelling abroad or firming up their travel plans. It is however a personal decision whether a HKR chooses to continue the journey and travel abroad. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from any cause or related to the supply or use of the OTA or other information in this website.