Cover Find out everything you need to know about antibody testing in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)
Find out everything you need to know about antibody testing in Hong Kong (Photo: Getty Images)
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We’ve got everything you need to know about Covid-19 antibody tests in Hong Kong––including the latest government announcement about the status of antibody tests for inbound travellers.
With many Hong Kong residents participating in the city’s free Covid-19 vaccination programme, and social distancing measures being further relaxed on June 30, the idea of foreign travel felt like it was becoming more and more of a reality for many Hongkongers.
After a period of the government accepting approved Covid-19 antibody tests from fully-vaccinated inbound travellers to Hong Kong, resulting in reduced hotel quarantine time, the scheme will be suspended from August 20 onwards. The reason for the suspension is cited as the increased threat of the more contagious "Delta variant" which is causing new waves of infection in countries around the world.
This means that inbound travellers from "Group B" countries––who would previously have been able to reduce their quarantine time from 7 days with an antibody test––will now have to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 14 days.
Arrivals from "Group A" countries––which as of August 20 includes 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 States of America, and the United Kingdom––will have to undergo 21 days hotel quarantine. The new measures apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated inbound travellers.
See also: All The Covid-19 Vaccination Incentives Hongkongers Can Receive: #OurBestShot
What is Covid-19 antibody testing?
Also known as serology testing, an antibody test is used to detect whether your blood has antibodies for a virus or disease. Your body produces antibodies when you have an infection as part of your immune system’s response and to help you fight the infection.
Antibody tests are done by taking a small amount of blood, which is then tested in a lab to see if antibodies are present. Covid-19 antibodies in a patient’s blood can be a sign that they have either had Covid-19 before or that their body has produced them following vaccination against Covid-19.
Although the presence of antibodies cannot guarantee protection against contracting or spreading Covid-19, antibody tests are now being used by the Hong Kong government to indicate that travellers have produced an immune response following vaccination.
Currently, the Hong Kong government has suspended the use of "proof of antibodies" to reduce inbound travellers' hotel quarantine. As of August 17, there is no indication when this will be reinstated.
See also: Our Best Shot: Why The Tatler Community Is Getting Vaccinated Against Covid-19
What are the travel rules once I have an antibody test certificate?
On June 21, 2021, the Hong Kong government announced that some fully vaccinated inbound travellers to Hong Kong who have an approved antibody test certificate will be eligible for reduced hotel quarantine times.
Inbound travellers who are able to provide the following will be required to complete 7 days quarantine at a government-approved hotel, and 7 days of self-monitoring. In order to meet these requirements, travellers must have:
- Proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, using a government-approved vaccine.
- A negative Covid-19 test at Hong Kong airport upon arrival.
- A government recognised serology antibody test, which must have been issued in the past three months.
- Be arriving from a country that is not on the government's list of high risk "Group A" destinations
As of August 17, 2021, the scheme has been suspended until further notice.
See also: Luxury Tropical Hotels That Should Be On Your Post-Pandemic Travel Bucket List
Where can I get an antibody test in Hong Kong?
There are currently 20 government-approved antibody testing facilities in Hong Kong––a mix of hospitals, private clinics and laboratories. The time it takes to get your antibody test results can vary from facility to facility––and can take anywhere from 3 to 48 hours after your test is taken.
Find the nearest Covid-19 antibody test facility to you and find out how to book your test below. Please note: as of August 20, the Hong Kong government will not accept antibody tests to reduce quarantine for inbound travellers until further notice.
Where to get an antibody test in Hong Kong Island
Canossa Hospital
Address: 1 Old Peak Road, Mid-Levels
How to book:
Email: opd@canossahospital.org.hk
Phone: +852 2825 5805
Chan & Hou Medical Laboratories Ltd, Hong Kong Island branch
Address: Room 906, 9/F, Melbourne Plaza, 33 Queen’s Road Central
How to book:
No booking is necessary. Walk-in appointments are available, with results available the next day.
Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong Clinical Laboratory
Address: 1 Nam Fung Path, Wong Chuk Hang
How to book:
Book your antibody test online here. Walk-in appointments are also available during opening hours.
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital––Stubbs Road
Address: 40 Stubbs Road, Happy Valley
How to book:
Phone: +852 3651 8808
Find out more here.
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital
Address: 2 Village Road, Happy Valley
How to book:
Email: covid@hksh-hospital.com
Phone: +852 2835 8602
Where to get an antibody test in Kowloon
Chan & Hou Medical Laboratories Ltd, Kowloon branch
Address: Room 712B, 7/F, Champion Building, 301-309 Nathan Road
How to book:
No booking is necessary. Walk-in appointments are available, with results available the next day.
Hong Kong Baptist Hospital
Address: 222 Waterloo Rd, Kowloon Tong
How to book:
Email: info@hkbh.org.hk
Phone: +852 2339 8941
Onco Medical Laboratory Ltd
Address: Room 2910, Trendy Centre, 682 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok
How to book:
Email: covid@onco.com.hk
Phone: +852 5446 7359
Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas)
Address: 113 Castle Peak Road, Sham Shui Po
How to book:
Email: covid@pbh.hk
Phone: +852 3971 9900 / +852 3971 9974
Where to get an antibody test in the New Territories
Chan & Hou Medical Laboratories Ltd, Sha Tin branch
Address: Room 1310, Tower 1, Grand Central Plaza, Shatin Rural Committee Road
How to book:
No booking is necessary. Walk-in appointments are available, with results available the next day.
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital - Tsuen Wan
Address: 199 Tsuen King Circuit, Tsuen Wan
How to book:
Phone: +852 2275 6166
Find out more here.
Union Hospital Pathology Services
Address: 18 Fu Kin Street, Tai Wai, Sha Tin
How to book:
Email: union@union.org
Phone: +852 2608 3355
Xcelmom
Address: 10/F, Metropole Square, No.2 On Yiu Street, Sha Tin
How to book:
Email: marketing@xcelom.com
Phone: +852 3955 1369
Other government approved antibody testing laboratories in Hong Kong
Carelink accredited laboratories
Find out more and book an antibody test here
Diagnostix Medical Centre Ltd
How to book:
Email: covid_enquiry@diagnostix.com.hk
Phone: +852 2885 4686
Hong Kong Health Check & Medical Diagnostic Centre Limited
How to book:
Email: covid19@hkhc.com.hk
Phone: +852 2212 1186 / +852 2361 2938
Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited
How to book:
Email: contact@hk-mpdc.com
Phone: +852 2986 1272 / +852 2986 1270
KingMed Diagnostics (Hong Kong) Limited
How to book:
Email: sales@kingmed.com.hk
Phone: +852 2919 7222
PathLab Medical Laboratories Ltd
How to book:
Email: covid.info@pathlabhk.com
Phone: +852 3983 1800
UCN Diagnostic Services - Pathology Laboratory
How to book:
Email: path@ucn.org.hk
Phone: +852 2717 2311
Quality Healthcare Medical Services Limited
How to book:
Email: info@qhms.com
Phone: +852 8301 8301
