[tomyam42]

I thought that it was Curry Lamb.

1 user thanked author for this post.

cwoodward

[MartynSinclair]

Here is a report which was supported with 15 photographs by an inbound traveller to HKG from Canada. I have copied and pasted the post from a private facebook group and made no amends except to try and make the read a little easier by making some paragraph breaks.

I found it amusing that the passengers entered the hotel through the front door and left by the back door. I accept this is just one passengers report but there are many others along these lines that have been made on this facebook group.

Probably does explain why routine business trips are not easy.. This passenger appeared to be a HK resident..

It was posted 18th August 2022

HK Quarantine Support Group – the passengers name is Rupen S.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

I posted this on my personal profile but thought it would also be good to share here as this group has been an invaluable source of help.

This is a summary of our recent trip and the trials and tribulations of dealing with Hong Kong’s pointless quarantine rules.

TLDR summary is that the quarantine is completely pointless, there is a fcuk load of paper work to do, a lot of research and confusing information from the HK government, there are so many tests that need to be done and it was very stressful and expensive. The FB HK Quarantine Support Group has been an invaluable source of information. But glad we were able to get away after 3 years and experience life in countries where people are getting on with their lives.

Before leaving
Flights were super expensive.
Finding a quarantine hotel was very stressful and expensive.
Leaving HK No problem, no tests required. They were happy for you to leave!!

HKIA was super quiet. Only a few restaurants opened after security and no duty free. Before security also only McDonald’s open.
Catching COVID Caught COVID abroad about 12 days before our original return date to Hong Kong.
We were able to re-book our flights to a later date, although the change fees were about half the price of our original tickets. Had to extend our car hire, cancel some hotel bookings and find new accommodation. Some of this will hopefully be covered by travel insurance.

Then, had to go about getting PCR tests and recovery letters. Original quarantine hotel didn’t have availability for our new travel dates, but we were able to cancel for a full refund (will take about 8 weeks to process) after we provided them with our positive PCR results.
Back to scrambling around trying to find a new quarantine hotel. We able to get Ocean Park Marriott, however seems prices had shot up even further.
Pre departure back to Hong Kong Arranged PCR (48 hours) and RAT tests (24 hours). As we were coming on recovery route, the RAT would have been fine, but didn’t want to leave anything to chance with check-in agents.

Completed online health declaration form and got QR code.At departure airport Got to airport (Calgary) around 3 hours before departure. Check in agent (Air Canada) wasn’t completely familiar with HK entry requirements and followed a “cheat sheet” that AC had prepared. They checked our recovery letter and RAT test results and we were good to go. We did guide the check in agent a bit. Arrived at Vancouver where about 2 hours before the flight at the departure gate we were required to provide our documents again. Some agents knew the procedures, but others didn’t. The agent we got knew the procedures and was happy to checking our hotel stay confirmation, recovery letter and RAT test.
HKIA

Arrived into HKIA. All ground staff were in full protective mask and gown gear. Welcome to Hong Kong. We had to wait for a stroller and this resulted in us being one of the last to leave the plane. This also resulted in two other planes arriving in the meantime. Knock on effect was quite a long line for our first check-point. The line did move relatively smoothly though.

At first check point the QR code for the online health declaration was scanned and we were issued with green lanyards along with PCR tubes.
We then went for our RAT and PCR tests. Lanyard had bar code which was scanned and went to do tests. As we had kids we were in groups of two.
Minor hiccup that our pcr test tube bar codes (which need to match the lanyard bar code) got mixed up. The staff were very good, they just swapped the bar codes out.
We were given the RAT test and in a bag and they were then dropped off into a box.

Then train to immigration. At immigration provided HKIDs and boarding passes. Picked up bags (which were already there) and it seemed all other pax from our flight had collected their bags. At customs the lanyard was scanned again and then onto the hotel shuttle bus line.
It took about 2 hours from landing to getting to shuttle bus line. I think if we had left the plane with the other pax, we would have been done within an hour, but we got caught up with 2 other planes landing. Shuttle bus line was also long, but constantly moving. When we got to counter, the lanyards were scanned again and we were given luggage tags for our bags. We then directed to a another line. After a little while we got onto the shuttle bus. Staff helped with our bags. Whole process from getting into shuttle bus line to getting onto bus took about an hour.

We were the last stop (can’t remember exact route, but from speaking to staff, they say the routes are not fixed and it depends on pax loads).
Overall took 4.5 hours from landing to getting to hotel. Needless to say we were tired. Lots of lines, but everything was efficient and staff knew what was going on and was generally quite streamlined. What we did find frustrating was there was no instructions or guidelines to us about the process, and as a result we didn’t know what was going on. Hotel Ocean Park Marriott has been completely converted into a quarantine hotel. Check in we were the only people. The whole lobby area was eerily quiet and covered in plastic. Check in was quick, was given RAT test boxes and told which lift to proceed to. There were arrows pointing on the lift direction. We were not to touch any buttons, all would be done automatically.

Once we left check in area, cleaning crew were there to clean our germs. Also as we walked up, there was a cleaning crew that followed behind us. Good think about OP Marriott was they took all our luggage to the outside of our room. Arrived to room and our key card was good for just one entry. There was a chair outside our room (drop off chair). Proceeded in room and brought in luggage.

We had booked two connecting rooms which worked out at HKD8k a night. Very steep yes, but glad we got the connecting rooms. Rooms were decent sized and very new. However the bathroom / lobby area did take up about 40% of the room. Nice rain shower and huge tub. Each room had a table and a lounging area as well, which was nice. Thaan toiletries, so quite nice.

Got 6 bottles of water in each room, a kettle and instant coffee and tea. Coffee’s and teas could ref
Food portions were big and decent quality. But food did get repetitive. Breakfast was a choice of western, chinese or veg chines and always the same. Lunch and dinner was choice of western, chinese or vegetarian. For lunch and dinner the starter was always the same. Also each meal came with a range of drinks. So so much packaging wastage though.

No problem at all with deliveries. Whenever something came to the room staff would knock and leave it on the chair.
Service was excellent. Called “At your service” line and someone always picked up. Very helpful. If you wanted a meal early, they would arrange it. Something missing, they would help you.

Had our PCR test on second day. They knocked and were quick with it. Very friendly. Not their fault, following government protocol.
Check-out Day before we got a call asking what time we wanted to check-out. Opted for 9.30. We had to wait for the call before we could check-out (our negative PCR results came at around 8.30). Call came at around 9.45.

We had to load our own luggage on a luggage trolley (which you do need to request in advance). Check-out was at the goods entrance. They collected our RAT sheets, and we were gone free!!!

Ride home

We had booked a car in advance with 168 Limousine and they were waiting for us. Driver was super friendly and helpful. Fitted all our luggage (about 10 bags, stroller and few other items and 5 passengers). Cost was about HKD420 to Kowloon. Would highly recommend and and use them again. I do think they are better option than Uber (as you don’t know if you will get a driver and size of car) or Gogovan (as you may need to book a second taxi for the people).

In summary

Glad we are back home. Don’t know how we would have managed 7 days in quarantine (and props to everyone who’s done 21, 14 and 7 days quarantine with kids).

Really unnecessary and pointless policies by the HK government which has made the lives of people living in Hong Kong very hard.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Polly, cwoodward

[Polly]

Don’t know about anyone else, but we are truly enjoying these discussions and friendly debate about current HKG, and the past of course. It gives us great insight into what was, and hope to continue to be a superb place to visit, and live in. Will never forget looking into peoples lives in old high rises, as we first landed there between the streets literally, at Kai Tak, magic! Nothing like it on earth in the 80’s, l think.
Such a shame, we cannot even get a simple transit organised for November. Between BA and CX, it’s rubbished our return visit now. Ideally we would have stayed 3 nights out at Kowloon…but will be lucky to transit, or accept a BA and CX refund and fly back in F on MH from KUL, which we actually don’t want to do. HKG is our absolute 1st choice. We are watching and waiting with baited breath to see if that 3 day q is reduced to a big 0 days in the next few weeks. Things are looking up, though.

[Polly]

Reminds me of the way l was escorted out the back service delivery elevator from my hotel in Singapore, by the hazmats! Into a waiting van. Seriously, after having been negative, out and about etc. done with military precision! They, the MOH decided suddenly to make my PCR positive, unreal. But, obviously a total nonsense in the end. Let’s hope HKG accept negative PCR pre flight. That would do me. Very happy,to,go with that one, even if it costs. It could mean you get to visit or transit without fear.

Very interesting to read that FB report though Martyn. It’s great for local employment too, and high hotel occupancy. Motives maybe similar to what Singapore was like last November. Thailand was definitely on the make! Very sneaky asking for no pre flight PCR, then slamming you in on arrival…. Makes you wonder? Bali didn’t quite jump on the band wagon on time. Tried it tho. Forgive my scepticism!

[K1ngston]

What has been happening in HKG has ramifications for the whole of the region and I am not talking about COVID … let’s face it the whole region has had its finger stuck up it own hole with regard to COVID, I am talking about the mass exodus from there to Singapore by expats, big financial institutions coming with requests for 1000 apartments etc which in turn has driven up the rental market here in Singapore by north of 30% month on month in rents!

Singaporeans don’t need much excuses to exploit a situation and have been using tactics such as forcing tenants to leave at the end of their tenancy by putting up prices in some cases to double the rate now and predictions are that it’s going to get worse

So I don’t care anymore about what HKG is doing or not around covid they have continued to leave the noose around the countries neck, and I don’t blame expats and those who can afford to get out, to do so but the economic ramifications for the region on top of every other scenario the world is dealing with is actually making Singapore almost impossible to afford to live in anymore not just for expats for normal Singaporeans who at yesterdays rates have to pay more than 1 million SGD for public housing…….

I am reminded of a Pink Floyd line from one of their songs …”the lunatics are in the park” ….. Martyn the good scotch is hidden, so looking forward to seeing you tomorrow and Polly, our favourite restaurant has moved to a bigger better location…. see you in Nov!!

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Polly

[cwoodward]

I trust that you are feeling better for that kIingston!

It is all terribly unfortunate and unnecessary in my opinion also but it will work out in the end and in a year or two be ‘old news’.
I am suspecting that you don’t live in Hong Kong and have not had to bare the brunt of the restrictions day to day as have we who live here.

[K1ngston]

[postquote quote=1229549]

cwoodward, I dont live in HKG you are right, and I am sure living there under the current situation is no picnic, I wasn’t setting out to highlight or denigrate the plight of those living in HKG, but merely to highlight the ramifications the rules are having on the rest of the region, which has impacted me and my circle of friends and colleagues.

I hope you are right about this being a bad memory in a few years, and doesn’t impact more on those who can’t live under the draconian rule of HKG or the economic outcome of that rule!

[cwoodward]

My intention was to merely comment also kIingston
It would be interesting perhaps to debate which is the more diaconicon government Hong Kong or Singapore and to me (who has had a business there for over 40 years) I would say that ‘the man in the street’ has much more freedom in HK than in vastly over regulated Singapore. It would perhaps be even more interesting to extend such a discussion to the cover the whole of Asia -but alas we can’t do ether here.

However if we discuss the merits of the rival airlines that is interesting but perhaps needs to wait until Cathay is back to full strength in say early 2023.
Good to read though that they are increasing flights this month by a further 12% .

[K1ngston]

[postquote quote=1229599]

cwoodward, I absolutely concur with you. If it weren’t for the sh1tshow that is HKG recently, then Singapore would be shown up also for the pseudo democratic “nirvana” it clearly isnt, with idiotic rules and pathetic excuses for the stupid rules, so I 100% dont believe that things are better here, people are leaving in droves, the cost now to live here far outweighs the benefit, and to my point earlier in the thread the costs are literally going up daily making it nigh on impossible for the everyday Singaporean to live let alone “expats” beholden to callous Singaporeans exploiting the situation….

I would love the opportunity to sit down over a very nice red and discuss the two countries, their politics, the region etc, but will not, no way no how quarantine at this stage.

Martyn literally arrives here later today and we will open a bottle and discuss “wishing you were here” 🙂

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Polly, cwoodward

[IanFromHKG]

K1ngston, give Martyn my best and have a wonderful time! I am glad to see that Singapore has finally decided to decriminalise gay sex albeit, at the same time, to change the constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. What they give with one hand they take away with the other. But at least it’s *one* step in the right direction…

Leaving aside the stupid rules, though, you have to admit that Singapore has proved itself far nimbler, its civil service far more competent, its infrastructure superior and its attitude to business far more healthy than most of the countries in the region. Although nowadays I admit it China can also compete for the title, I have for years said Singapore is the world’s most successful communist country (and before anyone disagree, let me point to one-party rule, dynastic succession (so often a giveaway), a centrally planned economy, majority state ownership of large chunks of the business centre, social housing, draconian suppression of opposition… the list goes on and on)

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cwoodward

[K1ngston]

[postquote quote=1229604]

Good to hear from you Ian, I hope you are yours are well and best of luck with your impending move, if you do come through Singapore let catch up for that long overdue meal? Thank you for the kind words on “repealing 377A” which as you say is something but actually nothing in reality. My husband and I have never been threatened for being gay, the law as it is (was) was from the 1930’s, and wasn’t enforced so what was announced was just political speak for clearing that up…. As you say doesn’t recognise Gay Marriage or the union as such which is a shame. The interesting snippet I took from the announcement was that the law 377A had been challenged a number of times in court with the government winning to this point, but they felt another challenge would be lost which could see other changes taking place…….. HMMMMM!!

As for the rest of what you say 100% agree with you, as we say here the friendlier side to Communist Rule!!!!

Shame you cannot be here for the next couple of days, Martyn has been threatening for a long time to come and visit and today is the day, luckily I have locked the good stuff away 🙂

Again Congratulations on your pending retirement …

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Polly, IanFromHKG

[cwoodward]

Ian you will get no argument from me about Hong Kong’s civil service.
It after all produced 2 disgraced Chief executives. one who was jailed an another ‘Kerry Lam’ who would single handedly have completely ruined Hong Kong if its companies and people were not so resilient and hard working.
Signs are the boss has the whole moribund shabang in his sights for serious attention very soon. The first move was killing the large and unwarranted salary increases that would have been nodded through under Kerry*
*I suffer rather badly from dyslexia and if as sometimes happens the spell check lets me down I am a little stuck unless I have time to stop and check manually or take a deep breath and wait for the correct spelling to emerge from the fog.

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Polly, IanFromHKG, K1ngston

[IanFromHKG]

cwoodward, completely agree and also completely understood on dyslexia which, although widely known, is sadly still widely misunderstood. Mind you, Senior Offspring has the “opposite condition” of dysgraphia of which most people are utterly ignorant and which affects her ability to get words *onto* the page rather than *from* the page (not great for exam-based courses as you can imagine). And both Offspring are dyspraxic, and dyspraxia is even less well-known or understood!

Have you tried coloured filters? We have some very dear friends, the daughter is Junior Offspring’s closest friend and not only has severe dyslexia but also scoptic sensitivity (imagine looking your whole life at everything on an old-fashioned tv, slightly out of tune, with “snow” on the screen, plus when she looks at blocks of text some letters seem closer than others, appearing as “rivers” of text on the page, and the letters may also seem to move, among other things). Coloured filters and paper have helped her significantly

If you haven’t tried, perhaps worth a go? Good luck and my empathy!

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Polly, cwoodward, K1ngston

[cwoodward]

Ian – thank you

I have learned to cope pretty well most of the time. Tight deadlines and stress are the killers
The filters sound interesting -tks.

I am much better off than your youngsters though but I do believe and hope that there is more good support these days.
One young smart relief teacher at the village school when I was seven saved me.

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IanFromHKG, Polly, K1ngston

[MartynSinclair]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-01/hong-kong-officials-target-end-to-hotel-quarantine-in-november?srnd=premium-asia&fbclid=IwAR05h_7hoA8DGlXP2VFynJTiFQd_zUrn33KTCFe07AHEQm2bTOj-OdVu9oQ

Not so bothered about HKG opening, more hopefully that unimpeded travel & free entry to HKG will enable more airlines to reboot services to Asia and start reducing the cost of air travel

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Jacob, IanFromHKG, Polly

[Author]

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