Hong Kong Airport requires all staff in Targeted Groups to be vaccinated

Hong Kong Airport employees in Targeted Groups are required to be fully vaccinated with no replacing by frequent tests, to protect workers in view of the latest COVID-19 pandemic situation. The new requirements are implemented in addition to the rules introduced by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) since 1 August 2021, issuing for all staff entering the airport restricted areas must be fully vaccinated, or be able to produce a negative test result. The new requirements are further enhancement of related measures, with no option of producing a negative test result in place of vaccination or medical exemption from vaccination. These new orders are in view of the latest COVID-19 case involving an airline lounge staff.

The Targeted Groups subject to the new requirements include those handling high-risk cargo or having unavoidable close-range contact with arrival and transfer or transit passengers, as well as crew members within 1.5m distance without partition or barrier. These type of employees includes: airline and ground agent staff, ramp coordinators, inflight catering coordinators, cargo loading staff, and cabin and lavatory cleaners. For airport operators including airlines, they must only deploy fully vaccinated staff to perform the relevant duties.

The added requirements will be implemented in two phases. In Phase One, with effect from 1 September 2021, staff in the Targeted Groups are mandated to complete at least one dose of vaccination against COVID-19. Those who have completed one dose or who are fully vaccinated are required to undergo a test every seven days. In Phase Two, with effect from 30 September 2021, all staff of the Targeted Groups must have completed two doses of vaccination and are required to take a test every seven days. To date, over 80 per cent of the staff in the Targeted Groups have received the first dose of vaccination and medical exemption is not permitted in both phases.