Omicron variant: Hong Kong’s tightened quarantine rules throw travel plans into chaos as family reunions, Christmas hopes dashed amid rush to extend hotel bookings
- Travellers describe their anguish and confusion, as weeks of visa applications, bookings and logistical arrangements look set to go up in smoke
- At least 16 nations have been added to Hong Kong’s highest-risk Group A category, requiring 21-day quarantine, and under which non-residents are barred
Since the government’s announcement on Monday, at least 16 countries have been added to the city’s high-risk Group A tier, over fears linked to the potentially more transmissible variant. They comprised nations which have reported Omicron cases, such as Canada and Australia, as well as some states in Africa, where the new variant was first detected.
Hong Kong residents arriving from Group A countries face a mandatory 21-day quarantine. Non-residents under this group are barred from entry.
As the world grapples with containing the new variant, local health officials have insisted the city’s tough control measures are sufficient for now, with uncertainty among scientists over how lethal Omicron could be.
Alex Lum, a Hong Kong student in Australia, heard news on social media of the ramped-up measures in his hometown, and frantically tried to extend his booking at the Silka Seaview Hotel in Yau Ma Tei from 14 days to 21, only be told there were no more vacancies.
“I was freaking out and calling my parents asking them what should I do?” he said. “It is just really upsetting.”
The 18-year-old was set to arrive in Hong Kong from Adelaide on December 7 before starting university next year. He tried to call other quarantine hotels, only to be told they were busy with many other travellers also trying to extend bookings.
