HKong to lift flight bans, cut quarantine for arrivals

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said Monday that the city would lift flight bans on nine countries including Britain and the U.S. from the beginning of next month. The other countries are Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Most of the flight bans had been in place since January. Lam said the move would reduce quarantine time for travelers arriving in the Hong Kong as its latest coronavirus wave levels off.

Authorities sought to provide a direction for Hong Kong businesses and its residents after two years of aligning with the mainland's "zero COVID" policy. On Monday, Lam also announced that social distancing measures will stay in place, although they will be lifted in stages from April 21 if infections do not surge.

A ban on dining in after 6 p.m. will be lifted, and public gatherings will be capped at four people, up from two. Other businesses that were ordered to close temporarily, such as gyms and massage parlors, will also be allowed to reopen. Bars however will remain closed.