'Govt Has The Power To Ban HK People From Returning'

Executive councillor Ronny Tong on Tuesday defended the government's move to temporarily ban Hong Kong people from returning to the SAR from the UK, saying residents' freedom to enter the city can be restricted on security or public health grounds.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Tong said it was sensible for the administration to follow in the footsteps of foreign countries in suspending flights from the UK, saying even the British authorities have described a new Covid-19 mutation there as "out of control".

Tong, who is also a barrister, said in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, residents' freedom of entry to Hong Kong can be limited by law for reasons of national security or public health.

He added that a long-term ban might not strike a balance between individual interests and the community's good, but the current ban is only temporary.

The government has since Tuesday morning barred anyone who has spent time in the UK in the past 14 days from entering Hong Kong.

The administration had previously refused to close the border to Hong Kong residents overseas, despite the pandemic.