Coronavirus: Hong Kong residents stuck abroad rush to book flights home, while others worry about ‘fast-changing policies’ after move to ease travel restrictions
- Carrie Lam revealed that quarantine for fully vaccinated residents will be cut in half from 14 to seven days starting from April 1
- While many residents changed their flight and hotel bookings to take advantage of a shorter quarantine, others worried about ‘fast-changing policies’
Some residents staying abroad hurried to book flights to return to Hong Kong after the city leader revealed a plan to ease quarantine rules and lift flight bans on nine countries, but others said they would not change their travel arrangements over fears of “fast-changing” government policies.
Vaccinated Hong Kong residents with at least two doses stranded in nine countries – Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the US and Britain – will be allowed to fly back to the city from April 1 instead of the previous date of April 21.
Non-residents are not allowed to enter Hong Kong except those arriving from mainland China, Macau and Taiwan.
A resident who only provided the name Claudius is among a number of people who immediately changed their travel plans after hearing about the latest measures. She is currently in Singapore with her family and two children, aged 10 and 12.
The businesswoman, who works in the food and beverage industry, delayed her flight to April 2 from March 31. She was also able to secure a connecting room at a hotel for the mandatory quarantine.
