The Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) System aims to help people better understand the risk or threat to personal safety in travelling to 88 countries/territories that are the more popular travel destinations for Hong Kong residents (HKRs). When there are signs of threat in a place that may affect the personal safety of HKRs, the Security Bureau will assess and consider the need to issue an OTA taking into account factors such as the nature (e.g. whether it is targeted at travellers), level and duration of the threat. Should there be public health reasons, based on the alert level as advised by the Health Bureau, the Security Bureau will issue an OTA on countries/territories seriously affected by infectious diseases to help the public better understand the possible health risks.

OTA Currently in Force

OTA

Countries/Territories

Other Travel Information

Overseas job scams

Afghanistan

Ethiopia

Iraq

Sudan

Ukraine

Venezuela

Iceland

South Africa

Australia

Germany

Japan

For travel advice or related information on foreign countries, you may:

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download the mobile app of

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12308" (Chinese only)

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connect to

WeChat of Consular Services of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Chinese only);

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connect to

Weibo of Consular Services of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Chinese only)

Travel Health Advice from the Department of Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and declared on March 11, 2020 that the COVID-19 outbreak can be described as a pandemic. Symptoms of COVID-19 are mainly fever and cough, while some patients presented with shortness of breath and were in serious condition.

The global epidemic situation of COVID-19 still remains. The Department of Health advises travellers to complete COVID-19 vaccination before travel according to the latest recommendations to effectively protect against COVID-19 disease and maintain at all times strict personal and hand hygiene.

Travellers should be aware of the latest situation of COVID-19 at the destination and any quarantine requirements upon entry to the travel destination.

For Points to Note for Quarantine for Inbound Travellers into Hong Kong, please refer to: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html


 

For further details, please see:

World Health Organisation declared on 14 August 2024 that the recent outbreak development of mpox (monkeypox) cases in Africa constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health draws the public's attention that there has been a sustained increase in the number of mpox cases and outbreaks reported in some countries in Africa recently. Members of the public are urged to heighten vigilance and avoid close physical contact with persons suspected of contracting mpox. High-risk target groups are also advised to receive mpox vaccinations.

Travellers planning to visit the affected areas should maintain good personal hygiene at all times and avoid close physical contact with sick persons or animals. Should there be any suspicious symptoms after returning to Hong Kong, travellers shall seek medical attention immediately and provide travel details to your doctors.

 

For details, please see:

The Department of Health advises travellers in the Middle East to avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels, avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry, and avoid unnecessary visit to healthcare facilities.


For further details, please see:

The Travel Health Service website of the Port Health Office of the Department of Health provides the latest disease outbreak alerts at specific destinations.


For details, please visit:

Related Matters

  • Before travelling abroad, Individuals should understand clearly the arrangements of the outbound tour and the coverage of the insurance policy before entering into any contracts with or purchasing any products or services from the service providers or suppliers.
  • Employers and employees are encouraged to come up with prior work arrangements or understanding on the need for the latter to undertake business visits to a place where an OTA is in force. For details please see Guide to Good People Management Practices of the Labour Department.pdf 檔案
  • HKRs who are abroad should pay attention to their personal safety. Those who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the Immigration Department Mobile Application, send message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline, send message to the 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form. For HKRs who are Chinese nationals, they may also call the 24-hour consular protection hotline (8610) 12308 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China or contact the Chinese Embassy/Chinese Consulate-General in their destination. The telephone numbers and addresses of the Chinese Embassies/Chinese Consulates-General overseas can be obtained from the Immigration Department (Tel: (852) 2824 6111) or Website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.
  • For health-related risks during outbound travel, please visit the relevant websites of the Department of Health http://www.travelhealth.gov.hk/eindex.html.