The Government has adjusted the quarantine arrangements for air crew with effect from today.

Under the adjustments made in view of the latest COVID-19 developments, locally based air crew performing flight duties to or from overseas places or Taiwan are subject to stringent layover conditions.

Specifically, they must avoid mask-off activities save for eating or drinking and refrain from mass gathering and going to crowded places such as bars.

Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, they are required to undergo a “test and hold arrangement”, meaning they can only leave the airport after obtaining a negative nucleic acid test result.

Additionally, air crew are subject to daily nucleic acid tests until the fourth day following their arrival.

The Government has also requested airlines to put in place robust mechanisms to ensure their air crew’s compliance with the requirements during their layover.

An air crew member’s eligibility for the designated quarantine arrangements will be revoked if he or she fails to comply with the requirements.

In addition, airlines should introduce internal mechanisms for imposing a penalty that is commensurate with the gravity of the non-compliance on their rule-breaking air crew.

The Government said the adjustments should effectively help airlines enhance their capacity in order to boost flight services between Hong Kong and other parts of the world, bringing convenience to travellers and business as well as facilitating the normal resumption of economic and social activities.