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Hong Kong, Australia respond to Omicron with fresh travel restrictions
December 1st 2021
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has introduced new restrictions for travellers arriving from locations with known cases of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron. Read More » The locations are to be classified as Group A, or high risk, meaning non-Hong Kong residents who have been in these countries in the previous 21 days will be banned from entering the HKSAR. Hong Kong residents will be permitted to return home from Group A locations if they are fully vaccinated. But they must undergo compulsory quarantine in a designated quarantine hotel for 21 days on arrival in Hong Kong and take six tests for the variant during this time. A test on the 26th day at a community testing centre also is required. Hong Kong has recorded several cases of the Omicron virus in recent days.
In Australia, the government has pushed back the reopening of its international border to visa holders in the humanitarian, working holiday, skilled, student, and provisional family categories by two weeks to December 15. A plan to allow travellers from Japan and South Korea to enter Australia also has been placed on hold for two weeks. Both schemes were to start today, December 1.
"The temporary pause will ensure Australia can gather the information we need to better understand the Omicron variant, including the efficacy of the vaccine, the range of illness, including if it may generate more mild symptoms, and the level of transmission," the government said.
Australian citizens and permanent residents returning from countries of concern must undertake 14 days of quarantine under state and territory public health requirements and all international arrivals to Australia are required to isolate at home for 72 hours after arrival.
