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Warning for Australian Travellers in Hong Kong

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The Australian Department of Foreign Affaris and Trade has reissued the follwing advice regarding travel in and around Hong Kong.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affaris and Trade has reissued the follwing advice regarding travel in and around Hong Kong.Due to the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing strongly recommends that Australians consider deferring non-essential travel to Hong Kong and nearby areas of mainland China. Australians in transit at Hong Kong airport are at very low risk of exposure to SARS. Australians of Chinese descent, who were born or have resided in Hong Kong, should enter Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on their Australian passport, obtain an appropriate visa and declare their Australian nationality to the Hong Kong SAR immigration authorities. Australians should be aware that Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with separate visa and entry administration to that of mainland China. Australians of Chinese descent, who were born or have resided in Hong Kong, should enter the Hong Kong SAR on their Australian passport, obtain an appropriate visa, declare their Australian nationality to the Hong Kong SAR immigration authorities and present themselves as Australians at all times. The Hong Kong SAR authorities may deny Australians, that have not declared their Australian nationality, consular assistance from the Australian Consulate. Australians entering the Hong Kong SAR from mainland China may require a new Chinese visa to re-enter mainland China. Australian travellers should be aware of the increased threat to Australians globally and should read this travel advice in conjunction with the General Advice to Australian Travellers, available at http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/General. Australians should be aware of the incidence of a contagious form of the respiratory illness known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the Hong Kong SAR and nearby areas in mainland China. There have been 15 SARS related deaths and 610 confirmed cases in the Hong Kong SAR as at 31 March 2003. The Hong Kong SAR authorities have instituted a strict regime of disease control in relation to SARS including closing schools from 29 March for one week and employing measures to disinfect workplaces where cases are detected. Many Hong Kong residents have taken to wearing surgical masks in the streets. There have been no reported cases of Australians contracting SARS in the Hong Kong SAR. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has advised that the risk of contracting SARS is low. The vast majority of cases have been contracted through close personal contact with a seriously ill person, almost exclusively in hospitals and between family members. There is a smaller risk of contracting SARS through other means. Persons planning to visit or transit Hong Kong should be aware that as a result of screening arrangements recommended by the World Health Organisation, individuals who show symptoms of SARS may not be allowed to depart immediately. In view of these circumstances the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing strongly recommends that Australians consider defering, until further notice, non-essential travel to Hong Kong and nearby areas of mainland China. Australians resident in countries where local transmission of SARS has been reported, and who have chronic illnesses, should seek medical advice about any need for extra precautions. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has advised that Australians in transit at Hong Kong airport are at very low risk of exposure to SARS. Nevertheless, it would be prudent, while in transit, to avoid close contact with persons who are unwell. If contact cannot be avoided, particularly with persons who are coughing, a simple surgical face-mask and regular hand washing will offer added protection. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has further advised that persons arriving in Australia with symptoms suggestive of SARS will be referred by airline and border authorities to be examined by health authorities. If the diagnosis of SARS cannot be excluded at the port of entry, the symptomatic person will be referred for specialist diagnosis and treatment, and precautions taken to prevent the possible spread of infection to others. For further information travellers should call the Department of Health and Ageing on 1800-004599. (Source: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)


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Dates

Posted On: 7 April, 2003
Modified On: 5 December, 2013


Created by: myVMC