[ad_1]
Hong Kong caused a sensation with one of the strictest COVID-19 quarantines in the world. Amid recent growth in the number of cases in Hong Kong, all foreign arrivals must be quarantined for a whopping 21 days, extending the previously required 14-day quarantine by one week.
Hong Kong’s quarantine requirement grows
Hong Kong announced in the middle of the Christmas holidays that all travelers coming from places outside of China must undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel. Passengers, who would otherwise have to comply with strict entry protocols, now have to work with this new requirement.
The 21-day quarantine requirement began on December 25 and was a near-last-minute decision that has caused chaos in the city for travelers. Passengers must make their arrangements and demonstrate compliance with entry restrictions before boarding their flights.
Hong Kong has seen a recent increase in the number of cases. While the numbers themselves have been quite low, the city has taken a strict approach when it comes to COVID-19.
While other places have turned to COVID-19 testing sooner or later, or both, as a means to allow essential travel, Hong Kong has resisted this and maintained a quarantine requirement. While other parts of the world have shortened mandatory quarantines, Hong Kong is doing the opposite.
Hong Kong becomes even more isolated
Hong Kong has joined Australia and New Zealand as isolated locations that are off-limits to most foreigners and require strict quarantines.
Previously, the city was known for banning airlines that crossed certain thresholds while carrying COVID-positive passengers, either knowingly or unknowingly, within a certain period of time. This prevented those airlines from transporting passengers to Hong Kong, although they could still take passengers out of Hong Kong. British Airways faced a ban until Christmas.
A worsening situation for airlines
The already few passengers flying to Hong Kong will now be further reduced. The city used to be one of the top destinations in the world for business travelers and was also a hub for leisure travelers. While the city still has a significant financial impact globally, much of that is due to airlines helping to keep the city connected to other financial centers, such as New York and London.
Airlines are likely to experience a drop in bookings. At Hong Kong’s current rate, it will likely be one of the last places to reopen and may require proof of vaccination for incoming arrivals, similar to what other countries do with other vaccines, like yellow fever.
Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s local airline, will face the brunt of this. The airline has already seen one of the worst, if not the worst, year in its long history, and it currently shows little to no sign of abating, with limited support from the government.
While passenger carriers, including Cathay Pacific, have opted for cargo-only flights, it’s still not enough for airlines to turn a profit. Even the “preighters” (passenger planes used as temporary freighters) have not helped the airlines. These planes cannot carry the large, heavy and expensive cargo on the main deck that would otherwise earn carriers millions of dollars in a year.
Have your plans changed due to Hong Kong’s new 21-day quarantine? Let us know in the comments!
