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Omicron variant: Hong Kong adds Singapore and Iceland to list of high-risk nations, Cathay Pacific cancels 23 more flights
- Both nations have confirmed their first cases of the variant, prompting Hong Kong to toughen quarantine rules for its residents returning from the countries
- Third of Cathay’s passenger flights scheduled to depart Hong Kong International Airport cancelled
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Hong Kong has added Singapore and Iceland to its list of high-risk countries after they recorded Omicron Covid-19 variant infections, forcing city residents returning from either nation to undergo 21 days of quarantine beginning next week.
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Singapore confirmed on Thursday that two people who arrived the day before were infected with the variant, but neither of them had any contact with the community and they were quickly isolated after being diagnosed.
Iceland also detected its first Omicron case on Thursday, involving a man who had not travelled abroad, was fully vaccinated and had received a booster shot. He has been admitted to hospital but his condition is not listed as critical, according to local reports.
The change in the nations’ status came on Friday and the longer quarantine requirements take effect on Monday.
Omicron was first identified by South African scientists and the variant has spread rapidly around the world, prompting governments to further restrict travel.
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