In late 2022, Hong Kong eradicated on-arrival COVID-19 testing necessities for inbound passengers. Nonetheless, passengers certain for Hong Kong have been nonetheless topic to pre-departure testing and obligatory proof of vaccination.
As of April 1, 2023, Hong Kong has eliminated all remaining pandemic-related restrictions for inbound travellers, which marks the ultimate step towards reopening to the world in earnest.
Hong Kong Eliminates All Testing Necessities
Hong Kong’s journey to reopening has been by means of a collection of gradual steps which started in Fall 2022.
Since September 26, 2022, impartial vacationers have been capable of enter Hong Kong for the aim of tourism with no designated quarantine. The caveat was that inbound travellers have been topic to a myriad of checks earlier than and after their flights to Hong Kong, in addition to a three-day well being monitoring interval upon arrival.
Whereas these necessities have been very mild compared to earlier heavy-handed guidelines, they nonetheless added some stress for anybody planning a visit to Hong Kong.
Then, as of December 29, 2022, travellers have been now not subjected to coronavirus testing after their arrival in Hong Kong. Whereas passengers have been nonetheless required to take a pre-departure check, this eliminated one other barrier for anybody who might need in any other case been considering a visit to Hong Kong, however didn’t wish to be subjected to so many checks after arrival.
At this stage of reopening, Hong Kong’s vaccine move, which supplied entry to many institutions, was additionally now not required. Equally, social distancing guidelines and obligatory quarantine with a optimistic check disappeared, too.
On February 6, 2023, Hong Kong eliminated the requirement for inbound passengers to indicate proof of vaccination upon entry. This was additionally the date upon which the land border with China absolutely reopened.
On March 1, 2023, the requirement to put on face masks in public was eliminated, and issues have been basically again to regular in Hong Kong.
The ultimate step for Hong Kong was to take away the pre-departure testing requirement for inbound passengers.
As of April 1, 2023, all pre-departure and post-arrival quarantine and testing necessities have been eliminated, which signifies that Hong Kong is lastly absolutely reopen to the world with out restrictions.
The way to Get to Hong Kong
With this newest announcement, there may be certainly going to be a barrage of travellers who want to go to Hong Kong as soon as once more.
To fly to East Asia on factors, Aeroplan naturally involves thoughts with its unbelievable price of 75,000 factors one-way in enterprise class from the West Coast (or any itinerary of underneath 7,500 miles in distance flown) and round 87,500 factors from the East Coast (or any itinerary of seven,500+ miles in distance flown).
Air Canada flights to Hong Kong can nonetheless be priced exorbitantly underneath dynamic pricing, so utilizing your eUpgrades with the “Latitude Perspective” technique is the optimum method to improve right into a enterprise class seat. For those who’re unable to seek out eUpgrade availability, contemplate reserving in premium economic system so that you’ll at the least be on the high of the waitlist for an improve to enterprise class.
With Alaska Mileage Plan, it’s also possible to fly direct on Cathay Pacific for 50,000 Alaska miles in enterprise class and 70,000 Alaska miles in First Class, which might be one other glorious candy spot to goal for in your first go to to Hong Kong within the post-pandemic period.
The difficult half is that Cathay Pacific award house may be very scarce in the intervening time; nevertheless, there are some pockets of availability in enterprise class from North America to Hong Kong all through 2023.
There’s additionally some First Class availability from London, Paris, and Tokyo to Hong Kong all through 2023.
Remember that Alaska Mileage Plan not too long ago devalued awards with Japan Airways with out warning. Whereas there haven’t been any adjustments to Cathay Pacific flights but, there’s no indication that one gained’t happen, so it’s possible you’ll wish to redeem your Alaska miles ahead of later to keep away from disappointment.
Cathay Pacific’s personal loyalty program, Asia Miles, is another choice to think about, as there can typically be higher award availability on Cathay Pacific flights. As a switch companion of American Categorical Membership Rewards and RBC Avion, Asia Miles are comparatively simple to return by.
If you could find house, you may anticipate to pay both 70,000 or 85,000 Asia Miles for a one-way flight in enterprise class between North America and Hong Kong, relying on the airport you’re flying to. You may additionally luck out and discover a seat in First Class for 110,000 miles!
Conclusion
As of April 1, 2023, Hong Kong has eradicated all pre-departure testing necessities for inbound travellers. This marks the ultimate step in direction of Hong Kong absolutely reopening to the world.
Certainly, restrictions have been regularly lifting since Fall 2022, and for all intents and functions, Hong Kong has resumed normalcy in regard to pandemic-era restrictions.
Journey to Hong Kong is definitely a hot-ticket merchandise, so be sure you snag a seat sooner quite than later to keep away from disappointment.
