Hong Kong’s authorities has requested Japan to withdraw a COVID-19 restriction that requires passenger flights from the monetary hub to land at solely 4 designated Japanese airports, saying the choice will influence round 60,000 passengers.
Japan, which is a high journey vacation spot for Hong Kong folks, mentioned it might restrict flights from Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China to Tokyo’s two airports, plus Osaka and Nagoya from Friday. The choice comes throughout a peak journey season and forward of the Lunar New 12 months vacation which begins Jan. 22.
“It’s understood that round 250 outbound flights of Hong Kong airways shall be affected between December 30, 2022 and the top of January 2023, affecting round 60,000 passengers,” the federal government mentioned in a press release late on Wednesday.
Metropolis chief John Lee mentioned the federal government had indicated to the Japanese authorities it was upset.
“We expect that Hong Kong folks must be allowed to make use of not simply these 4 airports,” Lee mentioned.
Flights of Hong Kong airways can nonetheless carry passengers again to Hong Kong from varied airports in Japan, the federal government mentioned, to “guarantee the sleek return of Hong Kong folks from Japan and to reduce the influence to Hong Kong travellers attributable to the incident.”
Hong Kong’s flagship service Cathay Pacific Airways mentioned it was actively participating with Japanese authorities because the newest journey restrictions had been introduced on Tuesday and would supply an replace to prospects and the general public earlier than midday on Thursday.
Hong Kong Airways and Peach Aviation introduced they’d cancel some flight routes due to the principles.
The USA, India, Italy and Taiwan now require necessary COVID-19 exams on travellers from China after Beijing’s determination to elevate stringent zero-COVID insurance policies.
China in December started dismantling the world’s strictest COVID regime of lockdowns and intensive testing, placing its battered financial system heading in the right direction for a whole re-opening subsequent yr.
The lifting of restrictions, following widespread protests towards them, means COVID is spreading largely unchecked and certain infecting thousands and thousands of individuals a day, in line with some worldwide well being consultants.
