In a statement, the department said authorities are discussing with the consulates-general of major foreign domestic helpers-sending countries, including the Philippines and Indonesia, on how to verify the authenticity of their vaccination records.

It stated that the government is planning to arrange for these helpers to be centrally quarantined in one to two hotels, with details to be announced on a later date.

Meanwhile, the department also reminded foreign domestic helpers and their employers that the new border control measures will come into effect on August 9.

Under the new measures, fully vaccinated helpers from the Philippines and Indonesia will be allowed to board flights for Hong Kong.

“Their vaccination records must be issued by a healthcare institution or a relevant authority of the government of Hong Kong, the Mainland, or a country where its national regulatory authority is designated by the World Health Organization as a stringent regulatory authority,” the statement read.

They must also, prior to boarding, present a negative result proof of a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 conducted within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the aircraft, and confirmation of a room reservation at a designated quarantine hotel for not less than 21 nights starting on the day of their arrival in Hong Kong,” it added.