Hong Kong Bans Flights From U.K. Due to Virus Spike

What’s new: The Hong Kong government will ban inbound flights from the United Kingdom starting at midnight on Monday due to a virus spike in the country, local health authorities announced Monday.

Sophia Chan, secretary for Food and Health in the city, said travelers who has been in the U.K. for more than two hours in the last 14 days would also be denied entry. Travelers who had already arrived in Hong Kong will be subject to an additional seven days of home quarantine following hotel isolation for 14 days.

When asked if Beijing would cut off inbound flights from Britain, Wang Wenbin, a spokesman at the Chinese foreign ministry said during a press conference on Monday that the Chinese government had noted the virus situation in the U.K. and would “seriously study and make scientific, proper arrangements.”

The background: A growing number of countries are imposing restrictions on flights from the U.K., including Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium.

In November, China suspended entry for inbound travelers from the U.K. with valid visas or residence permits as coronavirus cases rose.

In October, China tightened requirements for travelers from the U.K. by demanding proof of negative antibody tests in addition to nucleic acid tests as the country’s Covid-19 resurgence worsened.

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use.

Contact editor Heather Mowbray (heathermowbray@caixin.com)