Travel Advisory Issued for Hong Kong SAR of China

Multiple travel alerts have been issued for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China.

This is important news since 65 million people visited Hong Kong during 2018.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said on August 7, 2019, in recent weeks, several large-scale political demonstrations have taken place on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and various suburbs in the New Territories. 

Clashes have taken place between police and protesters following otherwise peaceful protest activities. These have involved significant violence. And, reports indicate the protests are likely to continue.

Additionally, the Australian government increased its travel alert to 'exercise a high degree of caution' status on August 6, 2019. This alert says ‘protests have become more unpredictable and are expected to continue. Tourist areas have been affected.’

The US Department of State increased its Travel Advisory to Level 2 on August 7, 2019, and recommends Americans planning to visit Hong Kong should take these preventive actions:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and large crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities including movement restrictions related to any ongoing police action.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt, nor display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations, such as this Traveler’s Checklist.
• U.S. citizens needing assistance can contact the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau, which is located at 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong. 

Regarding health's risks when visiting Hong Kong, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested on July 18, 2019, that visitors are current with certain vaccines, such as Routine Vaccines and the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Hong Kong is included in the CDC’s Global Measles Outbreak Notice, which was issued on June 10, 2019.

Pre-departure vaccination services, related travel medications, and counseling appointments can be scheduled with a local pharmacy by visiting Vax-Before-Travel.

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. You are encouraged to report vaccine side effects to the CDC.