HK bans India, Pakistan and Philippines flights

HONG KONG: Hong Kong will suspend flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines from April 20 for two weeks ater the N501Y mutant COVID-19 strain was detected in the Asian financial hub for the first time, authorities said in a statement late on Sunday.

The three countries would be classified as “extremely high risk” ater there had been multiple imported cases carrying the strain into Hong Kong in the past 14 days, the government said.

The city reported 30 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, 29 of which were imported, marking the highest daily toll since March 15. Hong Kong has recorded over 11,600 cases in total and 209 deaths.

Hong Kong authorities have been urging residents to get vaccinated for coronavirus with only around 9% of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million residents vaccinated so far.

The government last week widened the city’s vaccine scheme to include those aged between 16 to 29 years old for the first time, as they aim to boost lacklustre demand for inoculations amongst residents.

Airlines impacted by Hong Kong’s ban on travellers from India, Pakistan and the Philippines include carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Vistara and Cebu Pacific.

NORTH KOREA: China’s exports to North Korea in March rose to a six-month high, with outbound shipments to its neighbour that month nearly 400 times more than January-february combined, in a sign of easing border restrictions imposed due to COVID-19.

North Korea banned almost all cross-border travel early last year, and some countries including Britain, France and Germany withdrew their local representatives.

In recent weeks, however, there have been growing signs that North Korea may be easing its border restrictions.

An increased number of ships travelled to and from China, and North Korea is building disinfection facilities, including at an airport near its border, according to reports by NK Pro, a website that tracks North Korea.

“Overall, indicators strongly suggest North Korea is preparing for a resumption of cargo movement in and out of the country,” said NK Pro Managing Director Chad O’carroll.

“This will provide much needed reprieve for farmers needing fertiliser, factories requiring foreign inputs, and citizens who have gone by for months without import-basics like vegetable oil, cocoa and coffee,” O’carroll said.

China exported $12.978 million of goods to North Korea in March, up from $3,000 in February and $33,000 in the first two months, Chinese customs data released on Sunday showed.