The Hong Kong government has further scaled back the city's Covid-19 restrictions after recently lifting the ban on the movement of locally based aircrew during overseas trips.
Previous guidelines restrict the movement of Hong Kong-based crew during overseas layovers effectively confining them to their hotels between the outbound and return legs of foreign flights.
But under the new rules, announced on October 4, the Hong Kong government eased these restrictions — although pilots and flight attendants were still told to stay away from mass gatherings.
"The Government has adjusted the quarantine arrangements for aircrew with effect from today," the announcement said Tuesday.
"Under the adjustments made in view of the latest Covid-19 developments, locally based aircrew performing flight duties to or from overseas places or Taiwan are subject to stringent layover conditions.
Specifically, they must avoid mask-off activities save for eating or drinking and refrain from mass gatherings and going to crowded places such as bars," it added.
Testing requirements still in effect
Despite the scaling back of the restrictions, aircrew is still required to undergo a "test and hold arrangement" upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport — which means they can only leave the airport after obtaining a negative nucleic acid test result.
Additionally, aircrew members are also subject to daily nucleic acid tests until the fourth day following their arrival.
"The Government has also requested airlines to put in place robust mechanisms to ensure their air crew's compliance with the requirements during their layover," the Hong Kong government said, adding that an aircrew member's eligibility for the designated quarantine arrangements will be revoked if he or she fails to comply with the requirements.
"In addition, airlines should introduce internal mechanisms for imposing a penalty that is commensurate with the gravity of the non-compliance on their rule-breaking aircrew," the announcement added.
The Hong Kong government said the easing of aircrew restrictions is meant to help shore up flight frequencies in and out of the major air cargo hub.
"The Government said the adjustments should effectively help airlines enhance their capacity in order to boost flight services between Hong Kong and other parts of the world, bringing convenience to travellers and business as well as facilitating the normal resumption of economic and social activities," it said.
Aside from Cathay Pacific, the further easing of aircrew restrictions will boost the operations of Hong Kong Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines and HK Express.
This announcement came after Hong Kong already earlier announced it is dropping hotel quarantine rules for passenger entry into the city from September 26 after more than two years of strict pandemic controls.
