Starting tomorrow, foreign domestic helpers coming to work in Hong Kong on or after December 2 are only required to undergo daily rapid antigen tests until Day 5, instead of the current Day 7 after arrival, the Labour Department announced today.

The testing requirement of undergoing a nucleic acid test upon arrival and on Day 2 after arrival remains unchanged.

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 during those five days.

There is no need to make an application to the department to make such an arrangement, but employers who opt for this plan should bear the accommodation expenses and provide a food allowance to their helpers for the said period.

As for helpers arriving in Hong Kong before December 9 who are still staying at licensed hotels or guesthouses for the three-day medical surveillance and four-day self-monitoring, they can continue to stay at the hotel or guesthouse for not more than seven days to complete the course.

Upon arrival, helpers can work at their employers’ residence and take transportation, enter supermarkets and markets, but they are 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.

Helpers coming to work in Hong Kong still need to present proof of a negative RAT result conducted within 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time as well as complete the online declaration prior to boarding a flight, the department added.

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 fill in the online form.