In late 2022, Hong Kong eradicated on-arrival COVID-19 testing necessities for inbound passengers. Nonetheless, passengers certain for Hong Kong had 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 way of a sequence of gradual steps which started in Fall 2022.
Since September 26, 2022, unbiased vacationers have been capable of enter Hong Kong for the aim of tourism with no designated quarantine. The caveat was that inbound travellers had 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 had 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 had been not subjected to coronavirus testing after their arrival in Hong Kong. Whereas passengers had been nonetheless required to take a pre-departure take a look at, 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 cross, which supplied entry to many institutions, was additionally not required. Equally, social distancing guidelines and obligatory quarantine with a constructive take a look at disappeared, too.
On February 6, 2023, Hong Kong eliminated the requirement for inbound passengers to point out 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 had 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.
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 fee 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 technique to improve right into a enterprise class seat. In case you’re unable to search out eUpgrade availability, contemplate reserving in premium financial system so that you’ll not less than be on the high of the waitlist for an improve to enterprise class.
With Alaska Mileage Plan, you may as well fly direct on Cathay Pacific for 50,000 Alaska miles in enterprise class and 70,000 Alaska miles in First Class, which may very well be one other wonderful candy spot to goal for in your first go to to Hong Kong within the post-pandemic period.
The tough half is that Cathay Pacific award house may be very scarce in the mean time; nonetheless, 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 the fact 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 chances are you’ll wish to redeem your Alaska miles earlier than later to keep away from disappointment.
Cathay Pacific’s personal loyalty program, Asia Miles, is another choice to think about, as there can usually 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 come back by.
If you will discover house, you’ll be able to count on 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 also 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 the direction of Hong Kong absolutely reopening to the world.
Certainly, restrictions have been step by step 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 unquestionably a hot-ticket merchandise, so you should definitely snag a seat sooner quite than later to keep away from disappointment.
