A recent news article published in the UK Times News states that a Hong Kong cruise ship carrying 3,700 people was returned to port on Wednesday for virus testing after nine people were found to be close contacts in an Omicron variant outbreak.
Hong Kong safety measures
Like mainland China, Hong Kong pursues a zero Covid policy and maintains some of the strictest measures in the world – including virtually closed borders, multi-week quarantines, targeted lockdowns and mass testing.
The city has recorded 114 Omicron cases, the vast majority of which were identified at the airport or during the 21-day hotel quarantine required for most arrivals.
A small community outbreak
But a small community outbreak attributed to Cathay Pacific airline staff has sparked mass testing and contact tracing in recent days.
On Wednesday, those tracing efforts reached the “Spectrum of the Seas,” one of the ships offering trapped Hong Kongers a “cruise to nowhere” that sails international waters on short trips.
Health officials said nine people on the cruise, which left on Sunday, were classified as close contacts and ordered the ship to return to port a day earlier.
Everyone on board – 2,500 passengers and 1,200 crew members – must test negative before they can disembark.
On Wednesday, an UKTN reporter outside the cruise terminal saw guests relaxing and exercising on their outdoor balconies.
“A lot of tables and seats in the theater were sealed, and we have bracelets that can help track our movements on board,” a passenger on board told UKTN by telephone, who requested anonymity.
“When we booked the tour we knew there was a risk. It’s just bad luck that it was us,” she added.
An invisible infection link
Microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung, one of Hong Kong’s top Covid-19 experts, has warned that an invisible infection link may have formed in the city.
“The fifth wave is very likely to take place,” Yuen told reporters on Tuesday.
Hong Kong’s strict health rules have kept the city largely virus-free, with just over 12,000 cases and 213 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
But it also left a business hub dubbed “Asia’s Global City” cut off from the rest of the world, including mainland China.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the resumption of travel routes with mainland China must take place before reopening to the rest of the world.
But earlier this week, she said the latest outbreak will likely delay those plans.
Hong Kong’s global isolation
International companies have expressed growing frustration with Hong Kong’s global isolation as they struggle to retain and recruit talent as rival financial centers learn to live with the virus.
Several airlines have started to avoid Hong Kong and withdraw their pilots and crew from the city.
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has drastically cut passenger and cargo flights in recent weeks due to tougher quarantine measures.
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Source: UK Times News
