HK to lift flight bans, mass testing on hold

Hong Kong announced a raft of changes on March 21 due to developments in its COVID-19 pandemic situation, with the measures including shelving compulsory mass testing, lifting flight bans on nine countries and setting a date for the resumption of face-to-face classes.

Although it is believed that the fifth wave of the outbreak has passed its peak, the pandemic situation is still grave and most social distancing measures will remain in place until April 20, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said.

From April 1, double vaccinated Hong Kong residents will be able to board flights from nine countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada. The quarantine period for those overseas arrivals will be shortened to seven days if they test negative on the sixth and seventh days after arrival.