COVID-19 Update from the Consulate General of Ireland
News
08 April 2020Dear Friends,
With Hong Kong and Macao now coming to grips with its second wave of infections, we appreciate that after 11 weeks that this has been an extraordinarily stressful time for Irish citizens and friends, compounded for many by the impact of COVID-19 on family and friends at home.
In addition to the health challenges at home, COVID-19 has demanded the largest ever Irish consular response to support our citizens abroad. The Irish Times last Saturday touched on the many challenges involved in the repatriation of our citizens. Of the many lessons learned so far this year, we know that coronavirus cannot be tackled solely as a domestic issue and we are deeply appreciative of the collective efforts of the international community, especially our European diplomatic colleagues, combined with the understanding and support of the local authorities in Hong Kong, Macao and around the world.
The Consulate team here in Hong Kong continues to serve our customers and we are open on an appointments only basis daily between 10:00-12:00, please email us on hongkong@dfa.ie if we can be of assistance. We continue to remind people that our Travel Advice is monitored daily and regularly updated. For Irish citizens who have not registered with the Consulate on the Citizen’s Register we strongly recommend that you do so.
Thankfully, Hong Kong and Macao continue to remain among the safest jurisdictions in relation to containing the spread of COVID-19, which is a testimony to the round-the-clock efforts of the local authorities, and especially those in the health services. Bearing in mind that the situation continues to be fluid, we wanted to share some information – based on a variety of enquiries we have received – that may be of assistance at this time. While this information is factual at the time of writing, please bear in mind that this is a fluid situation. We recommend that you continue to check official sources for information and follow up with the relevant local authority.
Avoid all non-essential travel until further notice. If you wish to return to Ireland, make arrangements now.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises against all non-essential travel overseas until further notice. If you are overseas, flight restrictions and route cancellations are happening on a daily basis worldwide and there is no guarantee that air routes will continue to operate. For this reason, where commercial flights are still an option, as in Hong Kong and Macao, we recommend that citizens and/or Irish residents who wish to do so make arrangements to return to Ireland as soon as possible. As there is no direct flight available, please bear in mind that many jurisdictions have highly restrictive transit arrangements and please check our travel advice for the transit jurisdictions also.
Are there any repatriation flights planned to Ireland from Hong Kong or Macao?
No. As there are commercial flight options available, there are currently no plans for repatriation flights to Ireland from Hong Kong or Macao.
I am due to return to Hong Kong soon, what can I expect on arrival?
All overseas visitors, except Hong Kong residents, will be refused entry to Hong Kong. All arrivals to Hong Kong will need to undertake 14 days mandatory quarantine, which can normally be undertaken at your home. You will need to fill out a health declaration form, which can be submitted online prior to arrival or in person. All arrivals to Hong Kong will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival in Hong Kong. This testing is mandatory and refusal to undertake the test could result in you being refused entry to Hong Kong.
Due to the high level of imported cases to Hong Kong from the United Kingdom those travelling on flights from the United Kingdom will be quarantined in the test centre until their test results are received. Normally, test results will be returned within 3 days. Should your test come back negative you should be allowed to return home to finish your 14 days of mandatory quarantine. Should you test positive you will then be taken to a hospital to be quarantined and anyone you’ve been in close contact with will be asked to quarantine in a government facility.
My visa is due to expire soon, what should I do?
We are conscious that some Irish citizens are in Hong Kong on short term visas. We understand that there may be the possibility of extending/activating new visas in exceptional circumstances without the current requirement of having to leave the territory of Hong Kong. Local authorities will need to be notified in advance in order to facilitate this. Please let us know at hongkong@dfa.ie if your visa will expire shortly so we can notify the authorities accordingly and assist you on this matter.
My passport is due to expire which I need for a visa, what do I do?
The Passport Office in Ireland is not processing passports currently due to the public health emergency, with many of the staff reassigned to emergency consular support. We ask for your patience over this time as there will be delays in the processing of passports over the coming weeks. If you have already sent an application, your application is safe and will be processed once services resume.
In genuine emergency circumstances the printing of passports may be facilitated. Please let us know at hongkong@dfa.ie if this is the case. If your passport it is due to expire in the next 2-3 months, we advise that you apply online for your passport now and inform hongkong@dfa.ie of your expiry date so that when services resume, we can prioritise passports that are due to expire shortly.
What do I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?
The Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection advises that if you have symptoms e.g. fever, cough or sore throat, to wear a face mask and consult a doctor or authorised health official by phone. Do not present at a GP surgery, clinic or hospital if you are displaying COVID-19 symptoms. You can also call the Centre for Health Protection Hotline: 2125 1111 / 2125 1122 (8 am to 12 midnight). The authoritative source of online information for Hong Kong is available on https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html and for Macao on https://www.ssm.gov.mo/apps1/PreventCOVID-19/en.aspx#clg17458.
How do I get tested for COVID-19? What is the cost for getting tested?
If you have concerns or are showing symptoms of infection, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has set up a hotline for any public enquiry about COVID-19 on +852 2125 1122. After seeking medical advice over the phone you will be advised of the next steps and whether/where you should get tested. The COVID-19 testing process depends on the instructions of the health authorities of the district where you live. You may be asked to present at a clinic for testing in person, or you may be asked to collect a sample at home and drop it off at a designated clinic.
The cost of testing vary across clinics and not all private hospitals/clinics offer testing facilities. Please confirm costs with the hospital/clinic and whether they have testing facilities. Please note hospitals/clinics may charge a consultation fee on top of the testing charge. Do not turn up to a hospital or clinic if you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 unless you have been advised to do so.
I’ve tested positive for COVID-19. What now?
The doctor will inform the Department of Health. You will then be taken to a hospital to be quarantined and anyone you’ve been in close contact with may be asked to be quarantined in a government facility. Due to data protection rules the Hong Kong authorities will not provide the personal details of an Irish citizen admitted with COVID-19 to the Consulate. Should you require consular assistance please email hongkong@dfa.ie.
What happens if you are deemed a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19?
Should the health authorities deem you to be a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, you may also be asked to quarantine in a designated quarantine centre for up to 14 days. Due to data protection rules, the Hong Kong authorities cannot give personal details of Irish citizens under quarantine to the Consulate, therefore we will not be in a position to contact you directly if you are placed in a quarantine centre. Should you require consular assistance please email hongkong@dfa.ie.
We are aware that being quarantined in a government facility may be challenging for some and we understand that proper preparation prior to admission can be helpful. SCMP have published an article written by some of their staff who spent time in government designated quarantine centres, which may give you an idea of what to expect.
On a final note, the importance of personal wellbeing and mental health cannot be overstated! The Health Service Executive in Ireland have put together some helpful pointers for looking after your mental health in this time. We keep talking about social distance, but in respecting the Governments advice on keeping physical distance, in this era of mass communications, we should not neglect the importance of maintaining and reconnecting to our social networks.
In 1890 – 130 years ago – the Irish Nobel laureate and poet William Butler Yeats published the great poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree”. The poem expresses the Yeats’ longing for the peace and tranquillity of Innisfree while residing in an urban setting. Let’s use this time to discover our own Innisfree!
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
Kind regards and happy Easter from the Consulate Team
Amelia Ní Laoi
Ross Lawlor
Janis Lee
Kalai Ching