Fighting against the novel Coronavirus COVID-19

The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 has alarmed governments around the world. The HKSAR Government has implemented a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus and protect the health of the community while maintaining Hong Kong’s position as an international city and aviation hub. With the lessons learned from previous epidemic outbreaks, Hong Kong is well prepared to handle the COVID-19.

The HKSAR Government has been guided by three principles: responding promptly, staying alert to the situation and working in an open and transparent manner. According to the government’s prevention and control strategies, a variety of specific measures have been introduced in the areas of health surveillance, compulsory quarantine, isolation treatment, health declaration, exit screening, reducing the flow of people between Hong Kong and the Mainland, enhancing 'social distancing' locally, supporting front-line healthcare staff and providing sufficient personal protective equipment.

On February 3, 2020, Hong Kong closed the boundary crossings to Mainland China, except for the Shenzhen Bay Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Since February 8, 2020, all visitors from Mainland China entering Hong Kong have to undergo a compulsory 14-day quarantine. The Hong Kong International Airport remains in operation, though connections between Hong Kong and Mainland China have been significantly reduced. As a reminder to our international visitors, please stay tuned with the advice from the authorities of Hong Kong and your home countries.

For the Government, safeguard public health and the well-being of its citizens are a top priority. A steering committee, chaired by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mrs Carrie Lam, has been coordinating preventive and precautionary measures between the government and the community. The HKSARG draws on expertise from a panel of renowned academics and public health experts to devise a suitable strategy to fight this virus. We have also deployed considerable resources to alleviate the pressure on enterprises and the general public. In the Government’s Budget for 2020-21, a HK$30 billion Anti-epidemic Fund was established to relieve the burden on those industries and employees.


To safeguard public health, several major events in Hong Kong have been cancelled amidst the outbreak of COVID-19 including Art Basel Hong Kong. Both the Hong Kong marathon and equestrian tournament, were also cancelled. The Startmeup Hong Kong festival would be postponed until further notice. You will find more updates regarding the events from the organisers and on our website or social media.