Hong Kong bans flights from “extremely high risk” Nepal

Suspension of flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines have also been extended.

The Hong Kong Government has announced all passenger flights coming from Nepal will be banned from landing in Hong Kong, starting 1 May.

On the same day, the 14-day travel ban on from India, Pakistan and the Philippines that started on 20 April will be extended. Nepal will also be listed as an “extremely high-risk” area, joining those three other countries.

Read also: Hong Kong imposes two-week ban on flights from Covid hot spots

Under its flight suspension mechanism, the Hong Kong government is compelled to ban all passenger flights from “extremely high risk” places for 14 days.

A country is identified as such if at least five or more passengers amongst all flights from the same place were confirmed to have COVID-19 with the N501Y mutant strain within a 7-day period.

"As a more targeted measure in stopping the importation of the virus into Hong Kong at the source, the tightened flight suspension mechanism is an essential measure in protecting Hong Kong's public health,” a spokesman said.

“The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation, and will further adjust the various arrangements relevant to the prevention of importation of cases as necessary."

Further, the government said the flight suspension will be triggered if at least 10 passengers were confirmed positive by any test with the 510Y mutant strain or relevant virus mutation within seven days.

The government will conduct risk assessments every two weeks for comprehensive reviews of relevant factors before determining whether to remove the flight suspension.