Quarantine Arrangements in Hong Kong due to Covid-19 restrictions (Updated 30 September 2021)

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As part of the government’s ease of restrictions against Covid-19, the entry ban for travelers from the Philippines, Indonesia was lifted on 10 August 2021. This has been great news for the Domestic Worker Community and once again, opened opportunities for overseas employment.

From limiting entry only to domestic workers who have been vaccinated in Hong Kong or have an International Vaccination Certificate (ICV), the government has allowed entry since 30 August 2021, to domestic workers from the Philippines and Indonesia provided that they can present validated COVID vaccination certificates or International Vaccination Certificate (ICV) issued by the Bureau of quarantine. and will be quarantine in designated quarantine hotels.

For the updated list of Designated Quarantine Hotels, please click here

For the Philippines, approximately 3,000 OFWs who are awaiting deployment are set to benefit from this development.

Quarantine Arrangements for domestic workers travelling from the Philippines and Indonesia

As part of Covid-19 safety measures, all deployed domestic workers will be subject to 21 days quarantine in hotels / quarantine centers designated by the government. It is important to note that all quarantine-related costs shall be shouldered by the employer.
There are six routine tests during compulsory quarantine;
After the quarantine period, domestic helpers are required to Self-monitor for the succeeding seven days. Self monitoring includes daily taking of body temperature, wearing of masks, maintaining good hand and personal hygiene and keeping a clean environment. For the complete Self-monitoring guide, please refer to this:
Lastly, a domestic worker must go for a Compulsory testing in a Community Testing Center on the 26th day of arrival at Hong Kong.

Are you a Filipino Domestic Worker?

Here are the Boarding requirements for OFWs to travel to Hong Kong:

Full vaccination – Completed all required doses of their vaccine and it has been 14-days since the final dose.
International Vaccine Certificate Validated by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) – International Vaccine Certificate with passport details
To book a schedule, please click on this link: https://icv.boq.ph/
21 nights, 22 days Designated Hotel Quarantine Booking (Hotel details to be released by Hong Kong government)
Negative PCR-Covid19 test done within 72-hrs of flight
Other usual requirements: Hong Kong employment entry visa; a valid medical certificate; a valid Philippine Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

How to get an International Vaccination Certificate (ICV) from the Philippines

1. Go to the Bureau of Quarantine’s (BOQ) Online booking system and select the location on where you will get your certification.

2. Click “Book an Appointment” and Agree to the terms and privacy policy of the website.

3. Enter your e-mail address and tick I am not a Robot in the Captcha box then click submit.

4. Pick the BOQ Service you need: Certification. Click INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION OF VACCINE FOR COVID-19, then click NEXT.

5. Set your Appointment schedule. Note that the dates in red are already booked, while those marked in green are still available. Next, pick your preferred time and check the available slots on the schedule.

6. Fill out the certification form with all required personal and contact information, then click Next

7. Upload a picture of your valid ID and enter the ID number. Next enter your vaccination information and attach a copy (front and back) of your vaccine certificate. Upload the documents then click Next.

8. Next, settle your payment through the various payment channels available:

Debit/Credit Card
Cash through different payment centers like 7 Eleven, LBC, Family Mart, and Cebuana Lhuiller
E-Money (I.e. GCash, PayMaya, and Cliqq)
Online Banking

Note: a convenience fee will be charged on top of the P300 certification fee. The amount will depend on which payment method you chose.

9. Lastly, Save your reference number which you will receive after settling the payment.

You may check the status of your appointment on the BOQ Online Booking System website by clicking VIEW MY APPOINTMENT STATUS and entering your reference number and birthdate.

Important reminder: Don’t forget to bring your LGU/hospital-issued vaccination card or LGU-issued vaccine certificate on the date of your appointment with BOQ.

Are you an Indonesian Domestic Worker?

Here are the Boarding requirements to travel to Hong Kong:

(A) Approved vaccination records issued by Indonesian official authorities. Records in any other format are not acceptable;

(B) A valid foreign domestic helper working visa issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department (Immigration Department);

(D) Confirmation letter for booking a room at the designated quarantine facility, the rental period is no less than 21 nights from the day of arrival in Hong Kong

How to get vaccination certificate in Indonesia:

Vaccine certificates are issued to participants who have received the first or complete injection. After vaccination, you will receive an SMS message from the number 1199 with a link to the Care Protect website (ie caringlindungi.id).

First vaccination

After receiving the first dose of vaccine, two SMS messages from 1199 will be sent, which contain the second vaccine plan and a link to the first vaccination certificate. The SMS contains the name of the vaccine participant, NIK, and information about the implementation of the second vaccine.

1. Open the caringlindungi.id page, and then enter the login/register menu in the upper right corner of the screen.

2. If you don’t have an account, you can create one first. For those who can click the “Log in now” menu.

3. Enter your mobile phone number and click to log in now. Then it will enter the registered account.

4. Click the account name and a menu selection menu will appear and select the certificate. There you can check and download the certificate by selecting the vaccine certificate.

5. A certificate will then be provided based on the number of doses received by the community.

6. Click on the required certificate and press Download certificate to download it.

Credit to www.lampungprov.go.id

Boarding and Quarantine Arrangements for Domestic Workers from Philippines & Indonesia entering Hong Kong

Here is the process for domestic workers categorized under Group A or from High Risk countries:

1. Health Declaration System

This is required for all inbound travellers to Hong Kong which can be submitted online via this link: https://www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/
The QR code generated must be saved and is valid for 48 hours upon arrival in Hong Kong. This will be presented to border control staff upon entry to Hong Kong.
For those without mobile device access and can not submit the declaration online, you may seek assistance from Department of Health personnel upon arrival in Hong Kong.undefined
All arriving passengers will undergo compulsory Covid-19 testing at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) set up in Hong Kong International Airport.
Nasal and throat swabs will be collected and the results will be released 2-3 hours within the same day.

3. Hotel Quarantine

Note: All quarantine related costs (food, test, accommodation) will be shouldered the employer as required in the undertaking with the government signed by employers

Six (6) Tests will be done during the hotel quarantine all of which is required to ensure that the workers are negative from the virus.

4. Post Quarantine Self-Monitoring

After the 21-day hotel quarantine, domestic workers are required to self-monitor for 7 days.
Self- monitoring involves: always wearing a mask; body temperature check done twice daily; keeping good hand hygiene and following safety protocols.
The domestic worker is required to report to her employer should she feel any Covid-19 symptoms within the 7-day monitoring to get proper help.
On the 26th day, the last required Covid-19 test, domestic workers can go to Community Testing Centers to submit their specimens and are exempted from paying the HK$240 testing fee. You must bring along your documents such as: HKID, arrival documents and other documents to show their quarantine status.

Employer Responsibilities

The Labour Department reminded employers to make necessary preparations for their helpers in advance. If the foreign domestic helper fails to produce the boarding requirements, he/she may be prohibited from boarding the flight to Hong Kong. Employers must abide by their responsibilities under the standard employment contract undertaking, including being responsible for the accommodation expenses of foreign domestic helpers during the compulsory quarantine period and providing meal allowances for foreign domestic helpers.

For more information about quarantine welfare and domestic worker employment during Covid-19, please refer to this article https://www.helperchoice.com/c/domestic-helper/covid-19-employment

Q: Do I need to pay for the salary if my employee is on quarantine?

A: For the first hire, domestic helper since the employment contract has not yet taken effect and the employee cannot attend work due to his/her reason. The employer doesn’t need to pay for the salary of a domestic helper during the quarantine.

For employees who have signed the Standard Employment Contract (SEC), accumulated 14 days of paid sick leave can be taken for a paid leave, the employer should pay salary. On the contrary, employees with less than 14 days of paid sick leave can only be treated as unpaid sick leave or in advance of the annual leave.

Conclusion

Hong Kong’s quarantine and entry rules for domestic workers may have evolved since 2021, but one thing remains unchanged: proper preparation is essential for a smooth and stress-free arrival. Whether you’re an employer or a domestic worker, understanding vaccination requirements, hotel quarantine procedures, testing schedules, and employer responsibilities helps avoid delays and ensures compliance with government guidelines.

For clear, updated hiring support and ethical recruitment practices, HelperChoice is here to help. Browse verified profiles, learn about visa processing steps, and hire responsibly today.

See also: Essential Steps to Domestic Helper Visa Processing in Hong Kong (Special Note)

Disclaimer: The latest news is subject to government announcements. The information provided is a guide for employers and we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies or outdated information. The rules set by the Immigration Department and sending countries are subject to change. Employers should check the department’s website, and contact the relevant embassy, for the latest updates.