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As countries around the world relax their grip on entry restrictions for travellers, many of us are eager to finally get on a flight for a much-needed getaway. Still, there are precautions to keep in mind when travelling overseas, especially when entry requirements differ from country to country. Following these considerations, we present a list of the top travel destinations open to vaccinated Hongkongers who hold proof of pre-departure antigen testing with negative results, along with a guide on how to use Prenetics’s new Flowflex system—your fastest, most convenient way to get credible rapid antigen test results.
Nobody’s got time to queue up for hours on end to get tested at a facility or wait anxiously for your paperwork to return from the lab by the next day, especially when your departure date is looming. Prenetics’s Flowflex at-home (virtual) Covid-19 rapid antigen test kit is a streamlined procedure that reduces the entire testing and results process to as little as under an hour—that’s even less than the time you need at the airport to check-in before a departure!
With a handy rapid antigen test, you won’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home to get tested. Approved by the Hong Kong government, the Flowflex test consists of an easy-to-use nasal swab that can be self-administered under virtual supervision.
In the case that you have obtained a positive result, check out these government guidelines on how to proceed. We wish you a speedy recovery.
Approaching its border control regulations with the eventual goal of phasing out bans and restrictions, Vietnam has at last opened up in full to outsiders since mid-March. Quarantine is also no longer required upon arrival, though inbound visitors still need to show travel insurance and proof of a negative rapid antigen test result taken within 24 hours before entry—regardless of if they are coming in via air, land, rail, or sea.
Do be reminded that if you hold a Hong Kong passport, you will still need to apply for a visa before you head to Vietnam. Click here for a full low-down on what is required for travellers, as well as for more information on the e-visa sign-up.
Entering the United States doesn’t require you to quarantine, but it will require you to show proof of vaccination in addition to a negative result on a supervised rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to your departure. Both hard copies as well as digital versions of vaccine records are accepted, but travellers are required to have completed their most recent dosage at least 14 days before their departure date to be considered fully vaccinated. Click here for more details and answers to frequently asked questions, and here for the comprehensive guide to the accept types of rapid tests.
After remaining on top of its game as one of the most effective countries to manage the global pandemic, New Zealand has finally opened up to non-resident travellers, provided that they comply with the country’s border control requirements, of course.
Unless you are a New Zealand citizen, you will need to prepare proof of vaccination and a negative rapid antigen test result, taken under medical supervision within 24 hours prior to your flight’s departure. Full details can be found here.
Since February, the Philippines has reopened its borders to travellers. Since Hongkongers can enter this tropical city visa-free, the only other documents required aside from the standard travel proof—such as travel insurance, flight tickets, and passport—are proof of vaccination and a negative antigen test result, taken within 24 hours before departure.
Check out the One Health Pass site to see how you can show your documentation, and this link for more detailed explanations on the requirements for Covid-related documents.
The European Union covers the nations of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Although these countries are open to receiving travellers, there are differing restrictions between member states regarding whether or not negative test results are still required for pre-departure clearance, what types of Covid-19 tests are accepted, and if the tests are to be conducted by professionals or on your own.
When it comes to the countries that accept Prenetics’s supervised rapid antigen tests, the list includes France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. For more detailed information, please visit each country’s individual website.
First sparked by the high demand for Covid-19 testing back in 2020, Project Screen was launched by Prenetics as a community-centred initiative for health and safety. Making use of its international network of laboratories, digital systems, and collaborating with scientific professionals, Prenetics was able to establish an efficient structure for testing that catered to more than nine million Covid-19 tests.
Since then, Project Screen has become a trusted Covid-19 testing partner for not only the Hong Kong government, but also world-class corporations, major event organisers, and even individuals. With community safety at the heart of their mission, Project Screen is taking a big step in helping the city to find its way to the new normal.
No matter where you are headed for your travels, be sure to plan ahead to ensure that you have a feasible way to return to Hong Kong, as there are still flight suspensions and mandatory quarantine measures in place. Stay up-to-date on any new changes by checking out the Hong Kong government’s press releases by clicking here.
First launched in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic peak, Project Screen by Prenetics was founded to keep both our local and global community safe through supplying reliable Covid-19 testing. Combining scientific expertise with cutting-edge digital systems, its global network of laboratories has processed over nine million Covid-19 tests to date, and is geared to provide first-class testing solutions that prioritise safety and accuracy. As the leading testing partner for the Hong Kong government, major corporations, event organisers, and individuals, Prenetics is spearheading the quest to reclaim normalcy.
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