Hong Kong Bans Flights From India, Pakistan And The Philippines For 14 Days

by Suchismita Pal
Hong Kong Bans Flights From India, Pakistan And The Philippines For 14 Days

Hong Kong is suspending flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines for two weeks, starting April 20, 2021. These three countries have been considered to be at ‘extremely high-risk’ in terms of coronavirus. In the last two weeks, Hong Kong has witnessed new cases of the mutant COVID-19 strain, most of which are imported. Recently, Hong Kong reported N501Y mutant COVID-19 strain for the first time. Also, out of 30 cases reported on April 18, 29 were imported. Hong Kong has reported around 11,600 coronavirus cases and 209 deaths.

Hong Kong Bans Flights India
Picture Credits: AFP

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47 Passengers In Delhi-Hong Kong Vistara Flight Tested COVID+

The decision of banning flights came after the rise in imported cases in Hong Kong. Around 47 people in an April 4 Delhi-Hong Kong Vistara flight have tested positive for coronavirus. Hong Kong had already mandated pre-travel testing so that only the passengers who test negative within 72 hours can travel. But despite that, the passengers in the 188-seater Vistara flight tested positive. Initially, 25 people from the flight tested coronavirus positive. However, on the 12th day of the quarantine, all passengers underwent testing again and 22 more passengers tested positive. Mumbai Airport To Operate Domestic Flights Only From Terminal 2 Amid Rising COVID Cases

Hong Kong Bans Flights India
Picture Credits: WETravel.biz

Also Read: Hong Kong Logs 3.7 Million Visitor Arrivals In 2020; Lowest Number On Record

The Ban Will Affect Vistara And Other Airlines

Hong Kong’s suspension of flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines will impact airlines like Vistara, Hong Kong Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Cathay Pacific. Meanwhile, the government has allowed people in Hong Kong between 16 to 29 years of age as well to get vaccinated. Till now, only around 9 percent of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million residents have received the vaccination. The authorities have been constantly urging citizens to get vaccinated to mitigate the chances of virus spread.