Hong Kong - Bio-Security
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail editor@noonsite.com if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
November 2022
- Crew arriving in Hong Kong on board a yacht are regarded as normal inbound travellers. All will need to follow the requirements listed in the below webpage:
- https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html
- Upon arrival, all crew must remain on board the vessel and follow the instructions of the Department of Health who will want to conduct a COVID-19 test on all crew members. Crew can disembark only after a sample collection, but they do not need to wait for the results (test-and-go arrangement).
- Before arrival in Hong Kong all travelers must complete a health declaration online and obtain a QR code [https://www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/]
- Inbound persons arriving from overseas places or Taiwan are required to conduct a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) with a negative result within 24 hours prior to departure for Hong Kong. It is recommended to complete the online Health Declaration Form after obtaining the negative RAT result.
- Length of Quarantine depends on where you are coming from. Full details in the above link.
- Use of an agent is no longer mandatory, but all yachts must follow the pre-arrival clearance procedures.
Our thanks to Asia Yacht Services for assisting with information throughout the Pandemic.
Resources:
- https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html
- List of recognised vaccines.
- Documentary proof for vaccinated persons
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Formalities: Documents
Related to following destinations: Hong Kong
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There is limited information available on Noonsite for Hong Kong and given our new yacht is being delivered there, we have looked into the rules and regulations as a foreign yacht. We are informed that in principle foreign yachts are not allowed to cruise in Hong Kong. In order to cruise you must complete the formalities and you must employ a local captain onboard at all times when the yacht is underway. The minimum foreign qualification accepted is RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and only then once you have sat a local knowledge test in Hong Kong. This test has a long waiting list right now.
There are two levels of test – up to 15m (where you can the local test backed by RYA Day Skipper) and up to 24m (where you need RYA Yachtmaster). You can’t even drive your tender if the dinghy is more than 3m in length and has an engine of more than 4hp.
In addition, the availability of visitor berths is very scarce. Due to local shortage, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club have allocated all of their berths to permanent owners. We are currently hunting around for a berth where we can accept delivery of the boat.
In short, Hong Kong may not be as easy as it seems!
Hi Christine,
There are quite a lot of well sheltered anchorage in Hong Kong albeit not always around the usual locations. You can drop me an email (djghosie@gmail.com) to let me know you needs and I could share you with some suggestions.
Have fun coming to Hong Kong.
Thanks a lot for the contact! We are now registered under our yacht name so might come up as a different person on this reply. We are waiting for our boat to be delivered to us from the shipyard in China and as soon as we are in Hong Kong, I’ll most certainly drop you an email for suggestions.
Hong Kong has many islands, there are fast Ferry’s to and from the islands.
In particular – Lantau island – Silvermine Bay Beach( East inlet cove) has a fast ferry that will take to you into HongKong within 30 mins at a cost of approx 44 HKD/person. Sometimes it’s easier to let someone else do the driving.
You can take your Dingy to the beach (weekends are more busy), and get some cold resentments instead of going into HK itself, there is a local market there, open during day hours, listed until 8 pm.
There is a local Waterfall and mine (closed off, public access). Bicycles are typically used around this island.
Do you want a taste of some English style food (trust me I was starving)… Between Pui O Beach and Sivermine Beach – “The Water Buffalo” Owner Operator – taste of a small English Pub. Take Taxi (expensive Appox $40 HKD ) or Bus ( $4HKD as there is regular transport to and from the Beaches) – Note that BUS fare are done though the METRO Card or Exact Change.
HongKong and Singapore are very busy areas, especially in Shipping.
Hi.
We are currently sailing north of Borneo and we are heading to Palawan and China before the SW monsoon gets too strong.
We have to schedule a haul out before December and we are considering HK as our first option. We would love to have recommendations! We don’t pretend to stay dry longer than 3 days.
Our boat is a Lagoon 45.
I will have a look on noonsite periodically, otherwise I can get contacted through my email: moreau.sail@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Amandine Moreau