American Citizens Services
August 2009 American Citizens Services Newsletter
U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau
Welcome to the August newsletter! Here are this month's topics:
New Topics:
Continuing Topics of Interest:
TRAVEL SAFETY UPDATES
The Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution dated July 29, 2009 to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against American citizens and interests throughout the world. For details, please visit the Department's website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html.
In addition, in the Asia Pacific region, there are current travel alerts or warnings for China, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. As you make your travel plans, don't forget to check http://travel.state.gov for the most current safety and security information.
CONSULAR SERVICES ON MACAU DAY
On Wednesday, August 19, 2009, our staff will travel to Macau to provide limited consular services for American Citizens. Services to be offered during this visit include notarials (US$30 for each signature of the consular officer), passport processing (US$75, US$85, or US$100 depending on age and type), birth registration (US$65 for each child), and adding additional visa pages. Please note that we will only be able to accept credit cards as payment – no cash transactions will be permitted. Customers may pay using MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club or Discover card. Customers must present their card at the time of payment and the person whose name is listed on the card must be present to sign the payment slip. All charges will be in U.S. dollars.
Provided that your passport is in good condition, the American Citizens Services unit will also process requests for additional passport pages. In order to have additional pages inserted in your passport in Macau, you must fully complete and sign the application form (DS-4085), scan the form and email or fax it to our office no later than Friday, August 14, 2009. The form is available at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds4085/ds4085_2662.html.
In addition, please fax or e-mail a copy of the biographic page of your passport (the page with your photo) with the application. Our email address is acshk@state.gov and our fax number is (852) 2845-4845. Bring the completed application form with your passport to Macau Day, where the additional pages will be added. If we are unable to provide this service to you in Macau, we will notify you in advance of Macau Day and ask you to come to the Consulate General in Hong Kong.
Services will be available from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Academy of Music (see map - PDF format)*, located at Rua de Santa Clara, No. 19, 2/F, adjacent to City Hall and near Catholic Social Services. Individuals who are physically challenged and/or require special arrangements to access this location may call (852) 2841-2211, 2841-2323 or 2841-2225 in advance to facilitate access.
To enable us to best assist you in Macau:
- Please check our website for information on what specific identification, forms and supporting documents are required for each service. Download the appropriate forms and bring them with you.
- Please present your U.S. passport for all services.
- Please bring the original and one photocopy of each piece of identification and/or supporting document (such as passports, birth certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, Macau ID cards, etc.).
If you need a service not listed above, please contact us in advance at (852) 2841-2211, 2841-2323, or 2841-2225. We may be able to bring with us what you need for that service.
H1N1: HONG KONG AND MACAU H1N1 UPDATE
Hong Kong and Macau border authorities continue to screen for the possibility of influenza among passengers on arriving international flights. Arriving travelers will be required to submit a health declaration form and pass through a thermal-scanning checkpoint.
Travelers to Hong Kong found to have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or who exhibit mild flu symptoms will be briefly assessed and advised to seek medical consultation from public clinics or hospitals if symptoms become severe. Only seriously ill patients will be admitted to hospitals.
Travelers to Macau who have H1N1 influenza symptoms, or who have been in close contact with someone confirmed to have H1N1 Influenza will now be given the option to undergo home quarantine rather than in a hospital or isolation facility. Travelers will be admitted to the hospital only if confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.
In Hong Kong, individuals who are experiencing flu symptoms may go to one of the Hong Kong government's Designated Flu Clinics to be tested for the H1N1 virus. Only high risk groups (pregnant women, elderly, etc.) will receive Tamiflu and only seriously ill patients will be admitted to hospitals.
In Macau, testing and treatment is available to those experiencing flu symptoms at the Hospital Centre S. Januario (HCSJ) or one of the Health Bureau's Health Centers. See the Health Bureau website for a list of locations: http://www.ssm.gov.mo/design/guide/e_guide_fs.htm.
A list of private doctors and hospitals can also be found on our website at: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_medical.html.
If you are ordered into quarantine, please immediately contact the U.S. Consulate by calling our 24-hour emergency telephone number (852) 2523-9011, or by calling (852) 2841-2211, 2841-2323 or 2841-2225 during regular business hours.
For further information about the H1N1 Outbreak, please visit our website: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ci_avian.html.
H1N1: UPDATE FOR TRAVELERS TO MAINLAND CHINA
In May 2009, China implemented a policy that allows it to quarantine arriving passengers who exhibit fever or flu-like symptoms if they are arriving from a country which has cases of 2009-H1N1, including the U.S. Although the overall percentage of Americans being quarantined remains low, the seemingly random nature of the selection process makes it almost impossible to predict when a traveler may be placed into quarantine. Travelers with even a slightly elevated body temperature risk being placed into hospital quarantine, while passengers sitting in close proximity to another traveler with fever or flu-like symptoms may be taken to a specially-designated hotel for a quarantine of approximately seven days, even if they show no symptoms themselves.
The Department of State has received reports of minors traveling without a parent or adult guardian being taken into quarantine upon arrival. Some of the children were under 10 years of age. Parents considering sending their children unaccompanied to China are urged to consider postponing their travel until the quarantine policy ends or until 2009-H1N1 Influenza subsides.
For more information, please see the July 9, 2009 China Travel Alert regarding H1N1 quarantine measures in mainland China.
UPCOMING CLOSURES
The Consulate General has no scheduled holidays or other closures in August.
SUBSCRIBING/UNSUBSCRIBING
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe from this newsletter, please do so by going to our web page at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_subscribe_newsletter.html.
New subscribers will be sent the last few messages we have sent out in a digest form to help them catch up. Back issues are on the web at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_newsletter.html.
*(To view and print PDF files, please download the FREE Adobe Reader.)
This newsletter is published by the American Citizens Services Unit, U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau. Tel: 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225; fax: 2845-4845; e-mail: acshk@state.gov; website: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov. All services are by online appointment only.
Last modified: August 5, 2009
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