Coronavirus: Hong Kong granting Nicole Kidman quarantine exemption to film Amazon show sparks public outrage
- Film star avoids mandatory isolation on grounds her filming work is ‘conducive to maintaining the necessary operation and development of Hong Kong’s economy’
- Kidman seen shopping in Central two days after arriving, leaving angry residents questioning the preferential treatment
Hollywood star Nicole Kidman’s presence in Hong Kong has sparked outrage after the government allowed her to skip the city’s lengthy quarantine period to begin production on a new television show.
But authorities stressed on Thursday that none of the conditions that came with exemption had been breached so far and they would continue to monitor the situation to ensure compliance.
Under pressure to explain why the actress was out shopping at a boutique in Central two days after her arrival last week, the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau clarified she had been given permission to carry out “designated professional work … conducive to maintaining the necessary operation and development of Hong Kong’s economy”.
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Kidman, 54, flew into Hong Kong last Thursday on a private jet to start filming the Amazon drama series Expats and took up residence in an upmarket home on The Peak.
Last Saturday, she was spotted leaving the address with a bodyguard to visit Queen’s Road Central, where she shopped at fashion store COS. A member of staff confirmed that Kidman was there.
She was seen filming with her entourage at a primary school on The Peak on Sunday morning and later at a building in Hill Road, Sai Wan.