HONG KONG NEW 0+3 QUARANTINE MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE POLICY UPDATED

Started from 26 September 2022, arrivals to Hong Kong NO longer needed to isolate in a designated quarantine in a hotel. Instead, inbound travellers can choose to undergo 3 days of medical surveillance at home or at a hotel. During the medical surveillance, they can leave home, but restricted to visit premises like eat-in in restaurants. And travellers subject to take the PRC test in the community centres.

What is the details of the 0+3 Policy?

The New 0+3 Policy applies to arrival from overseas or Taiwan. The details of inbound control measures as below:

Boarding Requirement

  • Self RAT test – 24 hours before prior to the scheduled time of departure.
  • Obtain a Green Code via compete the Online Health & Quarantine Information Declaration of the Department of Health in advance.

Arrangement upon Arrival

To register for undergoing a nucleic acid test by scanning the health declaration QR code. Then, the system will issue medical surveillance notices, vaccination records and Provisional Vaccine Pass QR amber codes electronically.

Amber Code Restriction

Amber Code restrictions means visitors are not allowed to enter high-risk premises involving mask-off or group activities. For example, bars and restaurants. Travellers can conduct daily essential activities of lower risks, such as taking public transport, going to work, entering supermarkets and shopping malls, etc.

PCR Testing Arrangements

  • Day 0: On arrival Nucleic Acid Test at the airport;
  • Day 2, Day 4 and Day 6: Arrivals undergo nucleic acid test at a community testing centre; and
  • During medical surveillance and self-monitoring periods, arrivals are subject to daily RAT until Day 7 of arrival at Hong Kong.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: HONG KONG NEW 3+4 QUARANTINE POLICY UPDATED

HONG KONG NEW 3+4 QUARANTINE POLICY UPDATED

Hong Kong Government announced to adjust quarantine policy on 8th August 2022. From 7 Days Compulsory Hotel Quarantine to 3+4 model. That is 3 days compulsory quarantine in the designated hotel plus 4 days medical surveillance at home. The model will be effective on 12th August, 2022.

Vaccine Pass Codes

Red Code

Compulsory Hotel Quarantine Arrangement: You need to conduct the first nucleic acid test on the day of arrival as Day 0. If you are consecutively having negative result in the morning on Day 3, then 3-day hotel quarantine is completed.

Amber Code

4-day Medical Surveillance: You suppose to stay at home or in other self-arranged accommodation for 4 nights till Day 7. You can conduct daily essential activities of lower risks. For example, taking transport, going to work, entering supermarkets and markets, etc. However, you cannot enter high-risk premises involving mask-off or group activities. Such as restaurants, bars or pubs, elderly houses and hospitals etc.

Conducting more frequent nucleic acid tests and  Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)

Travelers need to have multiple tests after arrival at Hong Kong, the schedule as below:

  • Day 0: Day 0: nucleic acid test at the airport;
  • Day 2: nucleic acid test in Designed Quarantine Hotel;
  • Day 4, Day 6 and Day 9: after obtaining negative results of RATs on respective day. Travelers should undergo nucleic acid tests at a community testing centre or a mobile specimen collection station. Or arrange a self-paid test by professional swab sampling at a local medical institution recognised by the Government; and
  • During compulsory quarantine, medical surveillance and self-monitoring period, Travelers are subject to daily RATs until Day 10 of arrival at Hong Kong.

We hope everyone’s life goes back to normal very soon!

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: LOCKDOWN IN DONGGUAN OFFICE 2022

WORK FORCE ADAPTING TO THE POST PANDEMIC?

Since the pandemic started in early 2020, our lives are upside downed and we have to adapt to the post pandemic. We used to work very hard to get a career achievement and goal. However, the pandemic brings unclear path to our lives. Employees became exhausted, self-efficacy decreased, and cynicism grew. Studies found out more than 50% of the global workforce simultaneously quitted their daily 9 to 5 job.

Adapt to Post Pandemic: Reason for leaving?

The major reasons for leaving are unsustainable workload and unbearable stress. So, why there are unsustainable workload and unbearable stress?

During the pandemic, many organisations kept marching ahead. Stretch goals remained, despite employees being unable to meet the demand. Employees wanted to safeguard their jobs, spent extra personal hours for work. Then, the act made an unbalance between work and personal life. Finally, employees are reporting a high degree of stress, anxiety, burnout, and fear.

What can an organisation do?

Too many employees were pushed past their breaking points. Researchers suggested employers to do as below:

1. Mental health Support

More concern about the psychological safety in the workplace, being more empathy and support to employees. Organisations need to infuse support and guidance into every interacton to remove friction. Furthermore, the organisation should:

  • Focusing on more personalized communication when an issue arises, not overloading with information all at once;
  • Listening better to what employees have to say;
  • Using feedback to make real changes that meet new employee expectations.

2. Hybrid and Return to Office Policy

We all experienced how COVID changes our daily lives. Going to work no longer means that place has to be in an office. An investigation finds out 2/3 of the workforce wanted to spend 1/5 or less time working at a shared physical site. So, the office design will be difference. For example more smaller hubs and individual desk areas and fewer large conference-style rooms.

3. Paid Leave

People nowadays are more concern work-life balance. Reimagining workforce is in paid leave policies is becoming a critical area in a future. The paid leave including:

  • Extended parental leave
  • Paid leave for caregivers
  • Extended sick leave
  • Bereavement leave for those employees who’ve dealt with stillbirth and miscarriages.

4. Improving Fairness

Employees are more concerning to the fairness on gender, colour and age. So, the organisations should create a fairer employee experience. And it will be the most important initiative for Human Resource Executives in 2022.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: Hong Kong Government Special Work Arrangement Extended

COMPANY REGISTRY: PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY

According to the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), Phase 2 of the New Inspection Regime of Companies Register phase 2 will be starting from 24th October 2022 in order to protect privacy of director within Hong Kong Limited Companies.

How to protect your privacy?

Phase 1: Started from 23rd August 2021

  • Directors can use correspondence addresses instead of residential address for the public search;
  • Directors and Company Secretaries can replace full identity numbers for the public search.

Phase 2: Starting from 24th October 2022

Public is unable to search the protected information of Directors and Company Secretaries under the companies registry system.

As a director of your company, what is benefiting you?

No one wants to disclose his/her full information to the public, you may worry a scammer. Or someone disturb your private life. If you want to replace your correspondence addresses instead of your home address. Then Centre O has an offer, HKD1300 per year. Then you can use our Wanchai office address as your correspondence address.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: COMMENCEMENT OF NEW INSPECTION REGIME – PHASE 1

MOST POPULAR PROMOTION FESTIVALS IN HONG KONG

As a businessman, you can prepare for your marketing to anticipate the Hong Kong demand throughout the year. Also, you have to be a step forward and faster than your competitors. Centre O is going to highlights some promotion festivals and key dates in Hong Kong. Wishing you boosting your sales up in 2023.

Public Holidays in Hong Kong 2023

Hong Kong is getting 17 days off in 2023, nevertheless, there are 8 long weekends for promotion festivals to expand the sales period. Start planning your calendar now and decide how you can make good use of the festivals.

January 2023

2 January (Monday) – The day following the first day of January

23 January (Monday) – The second day of Lunar New Year

24 January (Tuesday) – The third day of Lunar New Year

25 January (Wednesday) – The fourth day of Lunar New Year

April 2023

5 April (Wednesday) – Ching Ming Festival

7 April (Friday) – Good Friday

8 April (Saturday) – The day following Good Friday

10 April (Monday) – Easter Monday

May 2023

1 May (Monday) – Labour Day

26 May (Friday) – The Birthday of the Buddha

June 2023

22 June (Thursday) – Dragon Boat Festival

July 2023

1 July (Saturday) – Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

September 2023

30 September (Saturday) – The second day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

October 2023

2 October (Monday) – The day following National Day

23 October (Monday) – Chung Yeung Festival

December 2023

25 December (Monday) – Christmas Day

26 December (Tuesday) – The first weekday after Christmas Day

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: HAPPY DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL!

HOW TO DO MARKET RESEARCH?

Reasons of Market Research?

Market research is a good chance to find out who is your customers and the reasons behind of their decision. For example, value and the opinions towards your competitors.

So, good research can help you ensure:

  1. Your product or service meets your target customers’ needs
  2. Your marketing connects with target customers in the right way

When you figured out your target customers’ needs, then tailor-made your product or service to win them authentically. Finally, you boost your business volume ultimately. It is an utterly win-win situation.

How to start?

Now you know the importance of Market Research. However, how to get start? Firstly, Centre O would recommend you to start in an easiest and lowest cost way. That is surfing around internet. You can check out websites for national and local government organisations, industry or trade associations, relevant consumer groups and companies. As they could reveal important industry trends, or give your fresh date about the size of the market. Or tell you something new about the region you are working.

Ask your own questions?

After your have the idea of existing marketing information, then you can dig into your target group. You have to prepare your own questions for your market research. You may get a surprising answer from your target group, which inspires you.

The earlier you speak with real-life customers, the better. The feedback will help you refine your offering, tweak your pricing, or adjust your marketing plan for maximum success. These interactions with target customers can even be used to start pre-selling your product or service.

How do you do your own Market Research?

  1. Chat with people individually: Talk with the people in your target market, just make sure they are not family and friends. Let interviewee feels comfortable if giving negative feedback.
  2. Hold focus groups: Get a big chunk of information from multiple people in just 1-2 hours.
  3. Get a community going: Create a Facebook group or email list and keep sending surveys, updates and fun facts.
  4. Set up beta testers: Put on some food and drinks, and invite people to come around and test your product.

What to do?

The core purpose of market research is improving your service or product to meet customers’ need and refine your marketing strategies. Therefore, you can

  1. Observe: Put the product in their hand and how they react to your product
  2. Choose: Show them difference names or packaging options and have them pick their favourites
  3. Check: To check what they do and don’t like about your competitors.

What you should avoid?

Market Research can be very big. As an entrepreneur, you have to distinguish what you need to know and you want to know. You are absolutely right to learn all about your target customers. However, you have to think about your budget. And the budget is not limited to money, but the time.

Once you get the essentials, get launched. And you should encourage feedback from paying customers. Also, be positive even negative comments.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: Best way to identify your target market

RIGHT OF ABODE vs RIGHT TO LAND IN HONG KONG

If you have the Right to Land, does it mean you have the right of abode? This is a very frequently asked question in Hong Kong. According to Hong Kong’s Immigration laws, the Right of Abode and the Right to Land are 2 differences status. Obviously, the Right of Abode and the Right to Land are the not on the same ground. Hence, if you are planning to work or live in Hong Kong, you better know the differences.

What are the differences between Two Right?

Under the Hong Kong Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), only permanent residents have the Right of Abode in Hong Kong. The permanent residents with the Right of Abode enjoy the right to land in Hong Kong. Likewise, free from deport, or removed from Hong Kong. The permanent residents are free from any condition of stay. Furthermore, the Right of Abode grants the right to vote and stand for elections. Moreover, if the persons have the Right to Land, then he/she doesn’t have the voting and election right. Also, he/she needs to pay the Buyer’s Stamp Duty when buying property in Hong Kong.

If you have the Right to Land, then you don’t enjoy the same level of political right and access to government benefit. Unlike the Right Abode, Hong Kong Government can deport the Right to Land person. If that person has been convicted of crime and imprisoned for 2 years or above.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: Are you entitled for the Right of Abode in Hong Kong?

GREEN LIGHTS FOR AMBER CODE B2B ARRIVALS

Quarantine Policy

Under the implementation of 3+4 COVID quarantine rules, travellers arriving from overseas or Taiwan need to spend 3-day in a quarantine hotel. And 4-days in their own accommodation under medical surveillance. During those 4 days, they must conduct rapid antigen test (RAT) tests. Yet, they can visit their workplaces and shops for essentials, but excludes from public venues such as restaurant.

3 Colour Code System

Hong Kong Government is using LeaveHomeSafe app as a tool to monitor the spread of COVID. The app consists of 3 colour: Blue-Amber-Red. While travellers are under medical surveillance. The app will assign am amber code.

Quarantine Arrangement in Hong Kong

B2B Exhibition

Amber code supposed not allow to enter exhibition centre. Since 25th August 2022. The amber code holder is allowed to participate in Business-to-Business (B2B) conferences and exhibitions. Then the participants must pre-registered and wear a mask during the B2B event.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: UPDATED HONG KONG COVID-19 RULES FROM 21 APRIL 2022

HAVE YOU FILED YOUR EMPLOYER’S RETURN FORM YET?

Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has posted an Employer’s Return of Remuneration and Pensions to every company. No matter if the employers have employed employees or not, the employers have the obligation to response to IRD within 14 days by filling out the Employer’s return form.

What is the outcome if you have not filed your Employer’s Return Form?

If you have not filed your Employer’s Return, then you will get your company into trouble. The failure to submit the returns within the time specified. It means you offended the Inland Revenue Ordinance. The offence may result in prosecution and render you liable to a highest fine of HK$10,000.

What if you have no employees?

Although , you do not have any employee, it doesn’t mean you can ignore the filing. You are still required to tick the Box “NO” in the Return. Then sign and file the Employer’s Return Form to IRD.

Can you can submit electronically?

Sure, you can file the Employer’s Return via e-Filing under eTAX system. Once you have filed the Return successfully, you will receive an instant acknowledgement from the system. So, e-filing can save you time and convenient.

What if you mis-locate the Employer’s return form?

If you need duplicate Employer’s Return, you can simply visit the Inland Revenue Department to ask a duplicate print.

Last but not the least, if IRD is not able receive your submission within next 14 days from the letter issue date. IRD will take further action to apply penalties to your company without further notice.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: What is Employer’s Return?

HEADCOUNT REVISION ON 2022 EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SCHEME

Hong Kong Government launched the Employment Support Scheme (ESS) 2022 in March. And the application started on end of April. And the subsidy of disbursement is separated into 4 tranches: May, Jun, 30% of July and 70% of July. The subsidy amount is based on the headcount.

Headcount Revision

As the subsidized companies may have a change in number of paid employees. Thus, ESS will email every eligible company before the Jun and July tranches to inform if there is any revision on headcount. If your company have a revision, then you can log in to your ESS account. And then updated the number of employees. If you don’t have any change in no. of employees. Then you no need to have any action.

For further information, please contact us.

You may want to read: EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SCHEME (ESS) 2022