Hong Kong bans flights from Pakistan, India under new anti-COVID measures

Newly arrived passengers wear protective gear and facemask as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, at the arrivals hall of Hong Kong’s international airport on March 24, 2020. (AFP/FILE)

• Hong Kong announced strict new anti-coronavirus controls on Wednesday
• Incoming flights from eight countries will be banned from Jan. 8 to Jan 21

ISLAMABAD: Hong Kong on Wednesday announced a two-week ban on incoming flights from eight countries, including Pakistan, and tightened restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the city.
Hong Kong, the global financial hub, has maintained some of the world’s harshest curbs throughout the pandemic, including closing borders, weeks-long quarantines, targeted lockdowns and testing.
Incoming flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Britain and the United States, including interchanges, would be banned from Jan. 8 to Jan. 21.
“Passenger flights from these countries will not be allowed to land in Hong Kong and individuals who have stayed in those countries are not allowed to board flights to Hong Kong, including transit flights,” the city’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, told reporters on Wednesday.
The new tough new measures have been triggered by a recent community outbreak traced to Cathay Pacific airline staff.
The city has recorded 114 omicron cases in the past 24 hours — most of them identified at the airport or during the 21-day hotel quarantine that is mandatory for most arrivals.