Nationally-Accredited Laboratories for COVID-19 Testing
Under the current restrictions for entry into Hong Kong a negative PCR-based nucleic acid COVID-19 test with sample taken less than 72 hours before departure has to be presented to be allowed boarding. Additionally to the test certificate a separate document is needed as "Documentary proof in English or Chinese to show that the laboratory or healthcare institution is ISO 15189 accredited or is recognised or approved by the relevant authority of the government of the place in which the laboratory or healthcare institution is located."
See also https://www.coronavirus.gov.
This is a strict requirement and we have been made aware of several Norwegians who have been denied boarding on their Hong Kong flight at their transit airport, as the test report documentation did not meet the requirements, and thus had to change flights and take a new test in the transit country before being allowed to continue the trip.
The following points must also be followed strictly:
- The documentary proof of lab accreditation must be a separate document, it is not sufficient that the accreditation is stated on the test report
- The documentary proof can not have been issued by the same clinic that performed the test.
The national accreditation body of Norway, Norwegian Accreditation, has issued the following supporting documentation listing all the ISO 15189:2021 accredited laboratories
https://www.akkreditert.no/
We would also like to hear from you if you have successfully travelled from Norway to Hong Kong, to collate a list of successful practical examples, and NorCham can further help our members with additional details as needed. Feel free to contact us at chamber@norchamhk.com