Image: Reuters Berita 24 English -As it created "unnecessary hardship" and irritation to inhabitants of the global financial capit...
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| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English -As it created "unnecessary hardship" and irritation to inhabitants of the global financial capital, Hong Kong has suspended a rule that prohibited specific planes for bringing in travellers afflicted with the COVID-19 virus.
This year, the city has prohibited more than 100 planes. Businesses and locals who were accustomed to quick and convenient transit from the former British colony were greatly frustrated by the bans. With dozens of citizens still stuck abroad as a result of the flight prohibitions, its removal will allow many locals to return home.
The government issued a statement saying, "The social cost generated by the 'circuit breaker mechanism' is quite high and it also causes unnecessary bother to these international students and their families.
If more than five people with the coronavirus were brought in, airlines would have been prohibited for five days. Flights were prohibited earlier this year for up to two weeks, which made it challenging for airlines to run.
All arrivals must still stay in a hotel for a minimum of one week as a quarantine.
In order to "ease the mobility of persons required for social and economic recovery," the administration claimed it was aiming to "enhance" quarantine procedures.
Business executives claim that restrictive policies like the aircraft bans and required hotel quarantines have hurt Hong Kong's ability to compete internationally. They are expecting that the city's new leader, John Lee, will relax the quarantine regulations.
Eight business leaders argued that Lee must revitalise the city because the border between Hong Kong and the rest of the world has been practically closed since 2020 and strict quarantine and testing procedures are in place for all foreign arrivals.
