Hong Kong imposes entry restrictions on Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): Hong Kong has tightened their entry restrictions from Friday for arrivals from 16 countries battling a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, including Sri Lanka, increasing their mandatory quarantine period to 21 days. Moreover, quarantine for fully vaccinated people returning from medium- and low-risk countries will also be increased to 14 days, based on a recommendation by the Centre for Health Protection’s (CHP) scientific committees. The Government is planning to implement the measure “as soon as possible”. The tougher new regime for the 16 countries, the second change to quarantine rules for overseas travelers in eight days, was unveiled on Monday following the infection of a domestic worker who had returned to Hong Kong from the US earlier this month. The helper was fully vaccinated and tested positive for antibodies but she was confirmed as infected on Saturday last week after completing seven days in quarantine. “After considering a basket of factors, the government has decided to upgrade the risk grouping of 16 overseas places to impose more stringent boarding, quarantine and testing requirements on relevant inbound travelers in order to uphold the local barrier against the importation of Covid-19,” a Government spokesman said.