Hong Kong: Covid-Positive Cases in Air India Leads to Suspension of Incoming Flights
BY: ASHWATHY NAIR
- The government of Hong Kong suspended flights from Air India after one-third of COVID cases were found.
- Air India carried 11 Covid-19 positive passengers on a single flight from Delhi to Hong Kong.
- A passenger from India can arrive in Hong Kong only if they have a Covid-19 negative certificate.
Hong Kong has once again suspended Air India flights from landing in the city-state after one-third of Covid-19 positive cases were found. The Hong aviation regulator Civil Aviation Department said that it will be temporarily suspending air India flights for two weeks till October 3.
Hong Kong government has banned Cathay Dragon from flying on the route of Kuala Lumpur-Hong Kong for the same reason of carrying Covid-19 positive passengers on its September 18 flight.
This is the second time that the Hong Kong government has banned Air India from flying into their airport after a similar suspension order of two weeks was served when 14 Covid-19 positive passengers were present on a single flight. According to the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection, there is an arrival of fresh Covid-19 cases with a travel history from India.
As per the rules, that are reported by authorities of Hong Kong, passengers traveling to Hong Kong from countries that are at high risks like India, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the US are supposed to conduct a Covid-19 test done 72 hoursbefore the scheduled time of departure. On September 15, the government of Hong Kong tightened its regulations by announcing a ban on any airlines that carries five or more passengers with positive cases of Covid-19.
According to Air India, it only allows passengers to board with Covid-19 negative reports. Hence, “Air India cannot be held responsible for any lacunae on the issue of passenger test reports,” an Air India spokesperson said. It declines the comment on the Hong Kong suspension issue.
