Hong Kong to add Britain to high-risk coronavirus list, requiring travellers to have negative Covid-19 test before flying, spend two weeks in hotel room
- Move to take effect from October 1, with decision based on latest risk assessments
- Ten other countries already on list, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and United States
Hong Kong is adding Britain to its list of high-risk countries for Covid-19, a move requiring travellers from the nation to test negative for the coronavirus before departure, and to quarantine in a hotel upon arrival to the city.
The measure takes effect from October 1 and would be in place until further notice, as Hong Kong on Thursday recorded seven new coronavirus cases. The government said the decision was made after taking into consideration the latest public health risk assessments and developments concerning the pandemic.
The decision, however, came as a nasty surprise for some parents whose children were attending schools in Britain, a popular study destination among Hongkongers.
Travellers arriving from Britain will now have to submit a negative coronavirus test result before boarding a plane to the city, and be quarantined for 14 days in a hotel, instead of at home. Before boarding, they will also need to submit confirmation of their hotel reservation for the duration of the quarantine.