Hong Kong Halts Global Transit Flights Over Omicron

Hong Kong will suspend transit flights from around 150 countries and territories deemed high risk for a month due to the coronavirus Omicron variant surge, further isolating the global financial powerhouse.

Since the end of last year, the city has seen approximately 50 cases of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

Before the outbreak, which authorities said could be traced back to two Cathay Pacific Airways aircrew members, the city had been free of local transmissions for more than three months.

According to a statement issued by Hong Kong International Airport on Friday, anyone who has been in places classified as high risk by health officials in the 21 days preceding travel will be unable to transit through the city from January 16 to February 15.

The action was made “to restrict the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant,” according to the statement.

More than 150 countries and territories are currently classified as high risk in Hong Kong.

It barred inbound flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States last week, including interchanges.

The Chinese-ruled city has adopted a zero-tolerance approach for local COVID-19 cases, mirroring mainland China’s policy, even as much of the globe adjust to living with the coronavirus.

In recent weeks, officials have strengthened quarantine rules on aircrew and reinstated social restrictions.

Bars and clubs, movies, gyms, and beauty salons have been ordered to close, and dining in restaurants is prohibited after 6 p.m. Primary and kindergarten schools have also been closed.

Later Friday, the administration is expected to announce that the restrictions will be extended through the Lunar New Year holiday at the beginning of February.

Source: Reuters