Hong Kong confirms 25 imported Covid-19 cases, as airlines including Cathay Pacific handed 2-week bans on routes
- Infected passengers arrived from 11 countries, with Britain accounting for nine cases, Kazakhstan five, and India and Pakistan two apiece
- New cases have resulted in two-week bans on certain routes operated by city’s flagship airline Cathay Pacific, Korean Air and Emirates
Hong Kong confirmed 25 imported Covid-19 cases on Saturday, triggering the most number of airline bans in a single day.
Authorities announced they would stop Cathay Pacific flights from London, Korean Air services from Seoul and Emirates Airlines flights from Dubai for two weeks each after passengers they brought into the city were confirmed to be infected.
Of the 25 cases, 10 have been designated a strain that is consistent with the Omicron variant, but yet to be formally confirmed by authorities.
Infected passengers arrived from 11 countries, with Britain accounting for nine cases, Kazakhstan five, and India and Pakistan two apiece. South Africa, Russia and the United States were among countries the others arrived from.
Fewer than 10 preliminary-positive infections were also reported, with confirmation expected on Sunday.
Seven of the British arrivals flew with Cathay on Thursday, the day the airline imposed a preflight antigen test to try to avoid a ban, which ultimately failed.
Hong Kong’s flagship airline said it subsequently suspended flights from London’s Heathrow Airport for two weeks starting on Sunday until January 8. With Virgin Atlantic and British Airways flights currently halted, this means services from the British capital are on hold until next year.