Hong Kong has suspended flight prohibitions as it reduces Covid-19 rules

July 8, 2022: -On Thursday, the government said that Hong Kong suspended a rule that restricted individual flights from bringing in passengers infected with the Covid-19 virus, as it caused “excessive trouble” and inconvenience to residents of the global financial hub.

The city is banning over 100 flights this year. The bans were a considerable frustration for businesses and residents used to effortless and efficient travel from the former British colony. Its removal paves the way for residents to return home, with scores stranded overseas because of the flight prohibitions.

“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,” the government stated.

Previously, airlines would be banned for five days if they brought in beyond five people infected with the coronavirus. This year, flights were banned for up to two weeks, which makes it difficult for airlines to operate.

All arrivals must still quarantine for at least one week in a hotel.

The government said it was examining to “improve” quarantine arrangements “to facilitate the movement of people necessary for social and economic recovery.”

Measures such as the flight bans and mandatory hotel quarantine have hammered Hong Kong’s competitiveness, said business executives hoping the city’s recent leader, John Lee, will discard the quarantine rules.

Eight business leaders said that Lee must reboot the city because Hong Kong’s border has been sealed since 2020, and international arrivals are subject to stringent quarantine and testing protocols.