Coronavirus: Hong Kong goes ahead with quarantine requirements for aircrew over aviation industry’s objections
- The new regulation requires pilots and cabin crews to undergo 14 days of quarantine and seven of medical surveillance upon entering the city
- New rules to take effect on February 20 giving airlines two-week grace period starting from Monday
Hong Kong is pressing ahead with a stringent 14-day quarantine requirement for aircrew members, but airlines have a two-week grace period before the new measure is enforced.
The new rules take effect on February 20, although the government said flight crew stopping in Anchorage, a major cargo transit point for Cathay Pacific, would be exempt.
In a statement on Friday night, officials also said sea crew must have a negative coronavirus test before travelling to the city, and would be required to quarantine for 21 days in certain circumstances.
“The government understands the impact on airlines’ and shipping companies’ operations, and that on aircrew and sea crew members to be brought about by the new arrangements,” the statement said.
“Having said that, we would appeal to the industry’s understanding of the need to tighten the relevant exemption conditions, and call for the industry to join our concerted efforts to fight the virus.”
Airlines are expected to get a formal briefing on Monday, when the grace period begins.