China Coronavirus News, China’s Omicron Case, Hong Kong Cruise Ship Ordered Back For Covid Test

The ship named “Spectrum Of Seas” offering people a “journey to nowhere” has been called back. (Represent)

Hong Kong:

A Hong Kong cruise ship carrying 3,700 people was ordered to return to port on Wednesday to be tested for the virus after nine people were found to be closely related during an outbreak of the Omicron variant.

Like mainland China, Hong Kong pursues a No Life policy and maintains some of the strictest measures in the world – including near-closed borders, weeks-long quarantines, targeted lockdowns and batch testing.

The city has recorded 114 cases of Omicron, with the majority being identified at the airport or during the 21-day hotel quarantine that is required for most arrivals.

But a small community outbreak traced to Cathay Pacific airline employees has sparked mass testing and contact tracing in recent days.

On Wednesday, those tracing efforts reached the “Spectrum of the Seas,” one of the ships offering Hong Kongers a “cruise to nowhere” into international waters for the short trip.

Health authorities said the nine people on board the yacht that left Sunday were classified as close contacts and had asked the ship to return to port a day early.

All on board – 2,500 passengers and 1,200 crew – had to test negative before they could disembark.

An AFP reporter outside the cruise terminal on Wednesday could see guests relaxing and exercising on their outdoor balconies.

“Many of the dining tables and seats in the theater have been sealed and we have wristbands that can help track our movements on the train,” a passenger on board, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP. by phone.

“When we booked the tour, we knew there was a risk. Unfortunately it was us,” she added.

Microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung, one of Hong Kong’s leading Covid-19 experts, warned that an invisible link of infection may have formed in the city.

“The fifth wave is very likely,” Yuen told reporters on Tuesday.

Hong Kong’s strict health regulations have kept the city largely virus-free, with just over 12,000 cases and 213 deaths since the pandemic began.

But it has also led to a business hub calling itself the “World City of Asia” cut off from the rest of the world, including mainland China.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said that the resumption of tourist routes with mainland China must be done before reopening to the rest of the world.

But earlier this week, she said the latest outbreak would likely delay those plans.

International businesses have expressed growing frustration with Hong Kong’s global isolation as they struggle to retain and recruit talent as rival financial hubs learn to live with the virus.

Many airlines have begun to avoid Hong Kong and withdraw pilots and crew from the city.

Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific has significantly cut passenger and cargo flights in recent weeks because of tightened quarantine measures.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from the feed provided.)