Hong Kong Bans UK Flights Over Coronavirus Variant

Hong Kong will suspend flights from the UK from Tuesday after a more infectious coronavirus variant hit the country, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan said.

In a press conference on Monday, the health chief said people who have stayed for more than two hours in the UK in the past 14 days, including Hong Kong residents, will be barred from arriving here until further notice.

Chan was asked if the move is consistent with the Basic Law which guarantees freedom of movement for Hong Kong residents. She made it clear they had consulted the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The aim is really to stop this new virus strain from coming to Hong Kong. We have already discussed this new measure… with our DOJ colleagues, we think this is the way to go,” she said.

Chan said the city's most stringent anti-epidemic measure yet is necessary to prevent the spread of the new variant.

Cathay Pacific on Monday announced that all flights to and from the UK will be cancelled until January 10.

The health chief also ordered people who recently returned to Hong Kong from the UK to be quarantined at home for another seven days after they completed 14 days of isolation at hotels, until they test negative for Covid-19.

Director of Health Constance Chan said the new variant had not been found so far in those coming from the UK.

And of the more than 5,000 people who have arrived from the UK this month, 28 tested positive for the virus.

Countries including France, the Netherlands and Canada have already suspended flights from the UK because of the new variant.

Health authorities also said the government is considering extending the 14-day quarantine requirement for other returnees.

The government also announced all existing social distancing measures – such as a restaurant dine-in ban from 6pm, the shutdown of facilities such as gyms and entertainment venues and government staff working from home – will be extended by two more weeks to January 6.

“We will not preclude any further tightening of our social distancing measures if our situation is going downhill,” Sophia Chan said.

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