Hong Kong Suspended Flight Ban Rule For Bringing Passengers Infected With Covid-19

The government of Hong Kong has suspended a rule that prohibited individual flights from bringing in individuals afflicted with the Covid-19 virus, citing “unnecessary trouble” and discomfort to residents of the global financial hub.

Notably, Hong Kong has over 100 flights this year. The bans were a big source of discomfort for businesses and citizens who had become used to simple and fast travel from the former British colony.

The suspension of the flight ban rule will allow many citizens to return home, after being stuck overseas owing to earlier flight ban rules.

The Govt of Hong Kong in a statement said;

“The social cost caused by the ‘circuit breaker mechanism’ is quite large, and it also brings unnecessary trouble to these international students and their families.”

Earlier, airlines suspended operating flights to Hong Kong for five days if they found bringing more than five passengers infected with the coronavirus.

Flights were suspended for up to two weeks earlier this year, making it impossible for airlines to operate.

It is worth noting that all new international arrivals to Hong Kong must still be quarantined at a hotel for at least one week.

The administration stated that it was working to “enhance” quarantine measures in order to  “facilitate the movement of people necessary for social and economic recovery.”

Measures such as flight restrictions and compulsory hotel quarantine have harmed Hong Kong’s competitiveness, according to business executives hoping that the city’s new leader, John Lee, will repeal the quarantine laws.

Eight business executives said Lee needs to reboot the city because Hong Kong’s border has been effectively locked since 2020 and overseas visitors are subject to severe quarantine and testing standards.