Transit flights from most countries suspended by Hong Kong
Hong Kong announced a ban on passengers from more than 150 nations transiting its airport on Friday as China ramps up strict anti-virus travel measures ahead of the Winter Olympics.
The move deepens Hong Kong’s global isolation and comes as Beijing battles to stamp out a flurry of Delta and Omicron outbreaks in the only major economy still pursuing a staunch zero Covid strategy.
In a statement on its website, the Hong Kong International Airport said: “Passenger transfer/transit services via Hong Kong International Airport for any persons who have stayed in Group A specified place(s) in the past 21 days will be suspended.”
Since the ‘variant of concern’ Omicron was detected in November last year, Hong Kong has seen around 50 cases caused by it.
The government is expected to announce later on Friday that the restrictions will be extended through the Lunar New Year holiday at the start of February.
