American Citizens Services

Warden Message

U. S. Consulate General Hong Kong
June 20, 2009

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu or novel H1N1. On June 12, the Hong Kong government reported that their "Fight the Pandemic Campaign" would be transiting from the "containment" to "mitigation" phase in gradual steps so that the health authorities could focus on the control of the disease in the community. As part of that transition, Hong Kong authorities will no longer trace or impose quarantine on those who have come into close contact with someone with a confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza.

Currently, travelers to Macau are still subject to a seven day quarantine and observation period if they are found to have been in close contact with someone with a confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza.

Travelers arriving to Hong Kong and Macau will continue to be required to fill out and return a health declaration form and pass through a thermal-scanning checkpoint. Travelers found to have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or who exhibit flu symptoms will have their travel history and symptoms assessed and will be taken to a hospital for further examination, if necessary. Because of these measures, processing of arriving passengers may take longer than usual.

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 situation in Hong Kong, please see the Hong Kong Government's Centre for Health Protection website at http://www.chp.gov.hk/index.asp?lang=en. For further information about the H1N1 situation in Macau, please see the Macau Government's Health Department website at http://www.ssm.gov.mo/design/home_e_fs.htm.

American citizens should be aware that the Consulate cannot demand their immediate release if they have been detained or quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal authorities.

Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Although the Consulate cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_medical.html.

For more information on U.S. Government policy during a pandemic, and for travel safety information, please see the State Department's "Pandemic/Avian Influenza" and "Remain in Country" fact sheets on www.travel.state.gov. Further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, can be found at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government pandemic influenza website at http://www.pandemicflu.gov, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.

Americans living or traveling in Hong Kong or Macau are encouraged to register with the Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Hong Kong and Macau. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Consulate is located at 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong: 24-hour telephone number (852) 2523-9011; direct lines to American Citizen Services are (852) 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225.

 

---

Last modified: June 22, 2009