Saw the following on an Ops Group Newletter. Can anyone give an on-the-scene account? Are flight crew being tested?

April 10 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong (VHHH)

"The Hong Kong authorities have implemented more stringent health checks on inbound crew and pax. There’s a health check at the airport, then everyone gets shuttled over to the AWE Exhibition Centre next to the airport to give saliva samples. HKBAC say the whole process takes 3-4 hours. Afterwards, everyone has to go to their accommodation for the compulsory quarantine as soon as possible by their own means."

Back in the day.... it was normal and routine for people entering a country to either have to bring medical documentation of a health exam immediately prior to departing, or to undergo a medical exam upon entry.

It's really only the past several generations and since mass vaccinations that those requirements vanished. I guess we now know - again - why those procedures were in place all those years. I know when my Mom emigrated to the US she had to bring letters from her local police that she was not a criminal, along with her medical records, and results of a recent exam just prior to departing for the US. This was from a modern European country at the time too; not Africa or other place perceived as having lots of virus issues.

Perhaps the old ways were best after all....

How does your response answer his question?

It didn't. Nice history lesson, though.

I landed in HKG 12 hours ago. Filled out two forms, answered some questions and went through customs. Unlike a week ago they didn't even take our temperatures. Admonished us to wear mask and sent us on our way. The hotel is still taking temperatures before letting you in and every time you return from being out. The city and hotel are noticeably busier than 9 days ago.

They still make you do all that stuff for visas, my daughter had to do that for her student visa for Spain this year. Pretty much exactly as you described background check saying she wasn't a criminal recent medical exam etc. It's only when you're going there as a tourist or as temporary work like pilots that you haven't had to do that in recent generations I think

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Thanks for that up-to-the-minute report, Sky Jet.

I believe they still screen you for a fever with a thermal camera when you get off the crew bus before going up the escalator. Maybe if you have a fever then they will do a more thorough screening. Seems most Asian countries have been doing this for years.

They take you in a common area before you go up the escalator. They take your temperature and make you fill out a health card.

Was told by our union in the past few days, that Hong Kong officials have made COVID-19 testing (throat swab) MANDATORY for inbound flight crews. You wait for up to two hours at the airport for the results, then if you test positive its off to a government quarantine facility (hospital, hotel...who knows?) Can anyone else on here confirm or deny based on their recent experience? Thanks!