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With the rise within the Omicron variant, Hong Kong introduced final week that there shall be a two week lengthy ban on all flights departing from the United States, in addition to from SEVEN different nations world wide. This ban was set to start this previous Sunday January 9th and is anticipated to proceed a minimum of till January 21st.
Cathay Pacific, the flag service for Hong Kong, sometimes runs seven direct routes from the U.S. all year long – from cities resembling San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, Newark, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. These routes are sometimes frequented by pleasure seekers, in addition to being well-liked for enterprise vacationers because of the metropolis’s repute for financial and monetary dealings. With the latest suspension of those flights, many passengers who had been hoping to transit and even locals returning house to this cosmopolitan metropolis, could discover themselves caught – a minimum of for the approaching weeks.
This two week ban on passenger flights isn’t just completely for the United States, it additionally contains Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. In saying these new measures, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam described the brand new restrictions as “decisive and comprehensive” — greater than another restrictions town as seen over the previous two years. Lam famous that the choice to cancel these flights was in response to the “drastic” enhance in imported coronavirus circumstances. Currently, the routes from these eight nations are among the most closely trafficked flights going out and in of town of Hong Kong.
These measures come as new Omicron clusters have emerged over the previous week throughout the metropolis. This outbreak is linked to a number of Cathay Pacific crew members who broke isolation guidelines — eating in eating places and bars, earlier than testing constructive.
As of now, there are solely a handful of group infections inside Hong Kong resulting from group unfold, however the extreme new restrictions are additionally a direct results of the low vaccination charges, notably among the many aged — who’re solely 20% vaccinated.
Ban on Transit Passengers
Hong Kong additionally introduced yesterday that they are going to ban air passengers from ALL Group A nations — (these designated as “high-risk”) from TRANSITING by Hong Kong International Airport. An analogous passenger transit ban occurred in March 2020 early within the pandemic, however steadily resumed within the subsequent months (other than mainland China).
This transit suspension will start on January 15th and run a minimum of till February 14th, though the dates are topic to overview. There are 150 completely different nations which can be at the moment being categorized as “high-risk”, leaving many passengers scrambling to rebook their flights and alter their plans.
Such well-liked vacationer locations as Vietnam, Cambodia or Thailand that are at the moment open to vacationers, may even see a drop in vacationers resulting from these new transit restrictions. This comes simply as Thailand introduced extra additions to their Sandbox program this previous week, to locations Krabi, Phang Nga, and Koh Samui. Hong Kong International Airport serves 5 cities in Thailand, with dozens of flights a day to locations resembling Phuket, Bangkok, and Ko Sumai. Now, if a traveler is coming from one in every of these 150 “high-risk” nations, Hong Kong will now not be an possibility.
Another Option For Travelers
Not all is misplaced for Asian journey. Singapore Changi Airport could also be the most suitable choice for journey all through the area. Singapore is at the moment the 18th busiest airport on the planet, flying to varied and unique locations. As of now, Singapore is permitting any passenger to transit by the favored airport, so long as they take a look at damaging 48 hours earlier than their flight.
Read More:
Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022
Thailand Reopens 3 More Destinations For International Travelers
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Disclaimer: Current journey guidelines and restrictions can change with out discover. The determination to journey is in the end your accountability. Contact your consulate and/or native authorities to substantiate your nationality’s entry and/or any adjustments to journey necessities earlier than touring. Travel Off Path doesn’t endorse touring in opposition to authorities advisories
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