The change came after a public outcry over how the government starts allowing foreign domestic helpers from the Philippines and Indonesia to come to Hong Kong starting today, but not Hongkongers who are stranded in the two countries.

In the latest announcement, Hongkongers who are vaccinated in 46 regions and have official vaccination records issued by authorized bodies will be allowed to return to the SAR from group A countries – meaning places with high risk for Covid-19.

Apart from the Philippines and Indonesia, newly added regions where vaccination records are recognized include Turkey, San Marino, North Macedonia, Ukraine and Vatican.

The returning Hongkongers will have to accept 21-day quarantine at a quarantine hotel, accept six tests during quarantine, observe their health for another seven days and accept a test on the 26th day of their arrival.

Group A countries include Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Malaysia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and USA.

List of places whose vaccination records are recognized

1.Hong Kong

2.Mainland

3.Macao

4.Australia

5.Austria

6.Belgium

7.Bulgaria

8.Canada

9.Croatia

10.Cyprus

11.Czech Republic

12.Denmark

13.Estonia

14.Finland

15.France

16.Germany

17.Greece

18.Hungary

19.Iceland

20.Indonesia

21.Ireland

22.Italy

23.Japan

24.Latvia

25.Liechtenstein

26.Lithuania

27.Luxembourg

28.Malta

29.The Netherlands

30.Norway

31.North Macedonia

32.The Philippines

33.Poland

34.Portugal

35.Romania

36.San Marino

37.Slovakia

38.Slovenia

39.Spain

40.Sweden

41.Switzerland

42.Turkey

43.Ukraine

44.The United Kingdom

45.The United States of America

46.Vatican City