Hong Kong bars Air India flights for fourth time as passengers test positive for COVID-19

 Hong Kong has banned Air India flights from Mumbai till vember 10 after a few passengers on its flight earlier this week tested positive for COVID-19 post arrival, a senior government official said on Friday.This is fourth time that Air India flights from India have been banned by Hong Kong government for bringing passengers who tested positive for infection after arrival.

Previous bans were on airline's Delhi-Hong Kong flights during September 20-October 3 and August 18-August 31 and October 17-October 30.

Passengers from India can arrive in Hong Kong only if y have a COVID-19 negative certificate from a test done within 72 hours prior to journey, according to rules issued by Hong Kong government in July.

Moreover, all international passengers are required to undergo a post-flight COVID-19 test at Hong Kong airport.

Besides India, a pre-flight COVID-19 negative certificate is mandatory for all passengers from Banglesh, Ethiopia, France, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, UK and US, according to Hong Kong government's rules.An airline operating a flight to Hong Kong from se countries has to submit a form before departure, stating that all passengers onboard have COVID-19 negative certificates.

"A few passengers who travelled on Air India's Mumbai-Hong Kong flight earlier this week tested positive for COVID-19 post arrival at Hong Kong," senior government official said.

Subsequently, Mumbai-Hong Kong flights have been barred from October 28 to vember 10 by Hong Kong government,  official ded.Scheduled international passenger flights continue to remain suspended in India since March 23 due to pandemic.

However, Indian airlines have been permitted to operate special international flights under Vande Bharat Mission since May this year and under bilateral air bubble pacts since July this year.

Under a bilateral air bubble pact, airlines of both countries can operate international flights with certain restrictions. India has formed such pacts with approximately 18 countries. 

(IM CREDITS:PTI)