Coronavirus: opening Hong Kong to vaccinated people from Britain an ‘extremely dangerous’ idea; city records 1 new imported case
- Fresh case on Friday involves arrival from United Arab Emirates who is fully vaccinated
- Experts air concerns over city’s quarantine measures not being able to cope with potential influx of travellers from Britain
Authorities also revealed on Friday that a 50-year-old airport porter, whose infection was confirmed on Sunday and first listed as a local unknown case, had been reclassified as “epidemiologically linked with imported cases”.
The revision means Hong Kong maintains its run of zero local infections, which has now stretched to 39 days.
Genetic analysis had found the worker’s infection was related to the genomes of four imported cases from Russia. Health officials believed the worker was infected on July 6 by an undiagnosed crew member of a cargo flight from Moscow, where he had spent several hours along with others who did not get off the aircraft.
Mandatory testing notices have been issued to staff working at the airport’s terminal one, apron or midfield concourse.
The Centre for Health Protection was also investigating the case of a sea crew member, who tested positive but was unlikely to be a recent infection. The 32-year-old man, who arrived on a flight from India on Tuesday, tested negative upon landing at the airport.
