Foreign domestic helpers who are coming to Hong Kong from September 26 onwards will be subject to medical surveillance for three days, followed by self-monitoring for four days, the Labour Department said today.

It explained that under the “0+3” model, designated quarantine hotels (DQHs) will be cancelled and the day helpers arrive in Hong Kong with the first nucleic acid test conducted is considered day zero.

During medical surveillance, helpers are subject to daily rapid antigen tests (RATs) and must undergo a nucleic acid test on day two. Upon receipt of a negative result of the nucleic acid test on day 2, the helper’s Vaccine Pass will be changed to blue code.

Upon completion of medical surveillance, helpers are subject to self-monitoring during the following four days, and should conduct daily RATs until day seven. They must also take nucleic acid tests on days four and six.

During the medical surveillance period, helpers can work at their employers' residence and take public transportation, enter supermarkets and markets, but they will be subject to amber code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass, meaning they cannot enter high-risk premises involving mask-off or group activities, as well as other premises requiring key protection.

In view of individual families’ conditions, the Commissioner for Labour has given in-principle approval for employers to arrange for their helpers to stay at licensed hotels or guesthouses to complete the three days of medical surveillance and the subsequent four days of self-monitoring.

There is no need to make an application to the department to make such an arrangement.

As for helpers arriving at Hong Kong before September 26 who are still undergoing quarantine at DQHs on the same day, they can leave on September 26 as arranged by the hotels.

Helpers arriving between September 24 and 26 will still be subject to medical surveillance and amber code restrictions. If employers choose to let their helpers continue to stay at the hotels to complete medical surveillance and self-monitoring, they may liaise with the hotels on their own.

Additionally, starting from September 26, helpers coming to work in Hong Kong only need to present a negative result of a RAT conducted within 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time. Any proof of negative nucleic acid test result before departure is not required.

Moreover, they still need to complete the online declaration prior to boarding a flight as required.

For enquiries on the quarantine arrangements for helpers, contact the department through its 24-hour hotline at 2717 1771 (manned by 1823), send an email or online form.