Hong Kong bans British Airways flights from London for two weeks after COVID-19 cases onboard
The Hong Kong government has banned flights arriving from London operated by British Airways for 14 days, after four confirmed COVID-19 cases on one of its flights.
The ban between Dec. 12 and 25 is set to affect many Hong Kong students studying in the U.K. who planned to come back to the city for Christmas, forcing them to find other flights to come home.
The flight in question was BA 27 from London to Hong Kong on Dec. 8, where four passengers were confirmed to have COVID-19 after being tested at Hong Kong International Airport. One passenger also failed to comply with requirements stated under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation.
The confirmed cases forced the Department of Health to invoke the regulation to prohibit landing of passenger flights operated by British Airways from London to Hong Kong.
Under the existing rules, those flying to Hong Kong from the U.K. — listed by the city as a high-risk area — must present a negative virus test result by an accredited laboratory taken within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the flight.
A British Airways spokesperson said the company was disappointed by the decision, and it was working closely with the authorities to resume services.
The company said it was contacting affected passengers to apologize, and it would offer passengers with alternative options including flying with another airline, rebooking for a later date or a full refund. Flights from Hong Kong to London would not be affected, the airline said.
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