{"id":7143,"date":"2020-07-24T15:37:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-24T07:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.helperchoice.com\/?p=7143"},"modified":"2025-11-15T03:36:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T19:36:08","slug":"helpers-holidays-covid19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/","title":{"rendered":"Helper\u2019s Holidays during Covid-19: What&#8217;s New?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tightening_of_social_distancing_measures_again\"><\/span>Tightening of social distancing measures (again)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On July 23, the HK government <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.coronavirus.gov.hk\/eng\/social_distancing-faq.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">has maintained its social distancing regulations<\/a> to only allow restaurants and places of worship to have <strong>50% of the original seating capacity.<\/strong> Restaurants cannot provide dine-in service after 6pm every day until 5am the next day.  They may provide take-aways alternatively during the time frame, however. Meanwhile, the number of people in gatherings at public spaces remains at the limit of 4. <\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Tightening_of_social_distancing_measures_again\" >Tightening of social distancing measures (again)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Avoid_public_gatherings\" >Avoid public gatherings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Can_my_helper_work_on_rest_days_or_statutory_holidays\" >Can my helper work on rest days or statutory holidays?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Rest_days\" >Rest days<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Statutory_holidays\" >Statutory holidays<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Can_I_impose_a_curfew_on_my_helper\" >Can I impose a curfew on my helper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Annual_leave\" >Annual leave&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Can_I_request_my_helper_to_stay_in_Hong_Kong_for_her_annual_leave\" >Can I request my helper to stay in Hong Kong for her annual leave?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/helpers-holidays-covid19\/#Further_deferral_of_home_leave\" >Further deferral of home leave<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Also, <strong>masks are legally required now in public indoor spaces, such as in malls and public transports<\/strong>. People who do not wear one may face <strong>a fine of HK$ 5,000.<\/strong> The measure is set for the next 14 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The government continues to advocate domestic helpers and their employers to work together in preventing the disease. Employers are encouraged to <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fdh.labour.gov.hk\/tc\/news_detail.html?fromPage=news&amp;year=2020&amp;n_id=119\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">allow their helper to stay home during rest days or to let the helper take rest days during weekdays<\/a>, so as to avoid crowded gatherings in public during weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Avoid_public_gatherings\"><\/span>Avoid public gatherings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It should be noted that such stay in arrangement should be agreed by BOTH the helper and employer, given that the law allowing domestic helpers to have a <strong>full 24 hours rest day every week<\/strong> and the freedom to do what they want has not changed. You should not deprive her rest days, request nor force your helper to work during her rest days, even if she is staying in.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With that said, <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fdh.labour.gov.hk\/en\/news_detail.html?fromPage=news&amp;year=2020&amp;n_id=119\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">the Labour Department warns<\/a> that \u201cEmployers are reminded that compelling an FDH to work on a rest day without the agreement of the FDH or failing to grant rest days to the FDH is in violation of the Employment Ordinance. The employer concerned is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to<strong> a maximum fine of $50,000.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, you should not restrict nor force your helper to stay at your place when she is having holidays in an attempt to stop her from meeting her friends. As an employer, you should provide your worker with adequate masks and sanitizers, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-mask\/\">educate your helper on personal hygiene if needed.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_my_helper_work_on_rest_days_or_statutory_holidays\"><\/span>Can my helper work on rest days or statutory holidays?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rest_days\"><\/span>Rest days<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>No. Except in unforeseen emergencies, <strong>you should not request your helper to work on rest days<\/strong>. Nevertheless, with the consent of your helper, you may substitute some other day for the appointed rest day. The substituted rest day shall be granted within the same month before the original rest day or within 30 days after it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about rest days <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\/employers-domestic-helper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Statutory_holidays\"><\/span>Statutory holidays<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, but you have to give the helper not less than 48 hours\u2019 prior notice; and an alternative holiday within 60 days before or after the statutory holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, <strong>you must not make any form of payment to your helper in lieu of granting a statutory holiday<\/strong>. An employer who without reasonable excuse contravenes this provision is liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to <strong>a maximum fine of HK$50,000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the side note, if the statutory holiday falls on a rest day, <strong>a holiday should be granted on the next day which is not a statutory holiday or an alternative\/substituted holiday or a rest day.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about statutory holidays <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\/helper-statutory-holiday\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"708\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/woman-hk-hiking.png\" alt=\"woman hiking hong kong\" class=\"wp-image-7148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/woman-hk-hiking.png 708w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/woman-hk-hiking-300x186.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:44px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_impose_a_curfew_on_my_helper\"><\/span>Can I impose a curfew on my helper?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No, you cannot. Your helper is given the right to have a full 24 hours rest day every week. <strong>You should not confine her to return to your home at a certain time.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, <strong>for practical reasons<\/strong>, such that if your helper comes home late and will wake up your children because of the noises, you should <strong>lay some ground rules with her about coming home earlier<\/strong> on rest days \/ statutory holidays.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Annual_leave\"><\/span>Annual leave&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The regulation on domestic helper annual leave remains the same. A helper is entitled to a <strong>7-14 days paid annual leave <\/strong>after having been employed for every 12 months with the same employer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about annual leave <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\/hk-labour-department-domestic-helper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_request_my_helper_to_stay_in_Hong_Kong_for_her_annual_leave\"><\/span>Can I request my helper to stay in Hong Kong for her annual leave?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>No. Your helper should have the freedom to travel anywhere she wants, her entitlement to annual leave is protected by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.labour.gov.hk\/eng\/faq\/cap57i_whole.htm\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Employment Ordinance<\/a>, which is also applicable to most employees working in Hong Kong.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if you worry that your helper would contract the disease while going abroad for annual leave, you can suggest that she take the holiday later on when the pandemic is more controlled. Your domestic helper can take the leave <strong>within 12 months after she has worked for the same employers for 12 months.<\/strong> The exact date for the leave has to be agreed by BOTH helper and employer, and be confirmed by a written notice to the helper <strong>at least 14 days in advance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Further_deferral_of_home_leave\"><\/span>Further deferral of home leave<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since March, the government has allowed domestic helpers to defer their home leave up to 1 year and 6 months after their 2-year contract has ended. It has extended <strong>another 3 months for helpers who wish to defer their plan further,<\/strong> in view of the continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See here for more details: <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fdh.labour.gov.hk\/en\/news_detail.html?fromPage=news&amp;year=2020&amp;n_id=124\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.fdh.labour.gov.hk\/en\/news_detail.html?fromPage=news&amp;year=2020&amp;n_id=124<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tightening of social distancing measures (again) On July 23, the HK government has maintained its social distancing regulations to only allow restaurants and places of worship to have 50% of the original seating capacity. Restaurants cannot provide dine-in service after 6pm every day until 5am the next day. They may provide take-aways alternatively during the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":7147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"description":"Find out how Covid-19 restrictions affect domestic helper holidays in Hong Kong\u2014rest-day, employer obligations, statutory holidays, and updated leave policies.","title":"Helper\u2019s Holidays during Covid-19: What's New? - HelperChoice Blog"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[184],"tags":[317,353],"class_list":["post-7143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rights-regulation","tag-covid-pandemic","tag-helpers-holiday-regulations"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/holiday-calendar.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7143","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7143"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7143\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14206,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7143\/revisions\/14206"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7143"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7143"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7143"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}