News
Hong Kong shortens ban on airlines with COVID-19 positive passengers to seven days
March 28th 2022
Hong Kong's policy of suspending airlines from operating a specific route if a certain number of people on their incoming flights tested COVID-19 positive after arrival has been tweaked as new infections trend downwards in the Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Read More » From April 1, airlines will be banned from flying to Hong Kong for seven days if three or more passengers on a particular inbound flight test positive for COVID-19 on arrival or if at least one person tested positive and there was at least one case of non-compliance with pre-departure testing. Previously, the ban was 14 days. “Since we have this expectation and requirement of the airlines, we need to put in some penalty," HKSAR chief executive, Carrie Lam, told reporters. "If they fail to fulfil these requirements and bring a certain number of infected passengers into Hong Kong, then we have to take some punitive action so they will do better." The HKSAR said bans on flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, UK and the U.S., in place since January, will be removed on April 1. From the same date, hotel quarantine on arrival will be reduced from 14 days to seven days.