The Chinese special administrative region has not quarantined local flight personnel since September 10, 2022. However, this only applies if a negative corona test result can be presented when returning from work.

So far, Hong Kong has had particularly tough quarantine rules for crews. After each flight they had to spend three days in a special isolation accommodation. A full week was necessary before the easing. Afterwards you had to stay at home and had to undergo several tests.

For now, the latest easing only applies to staff stationed in Hong Kong. Employees of international airlines who are stationed abroad must continue to be in the three-day hotel quarantine, at least for the time being. However, it is expected that the Chinese special administrative region will first monitor the effects on local staff and then relax for international airline employees as well.

The tough quarantine regulations have had a huge negative impact on connectivity. Many international carriers no longer wanted to be harassed by the Hong Kong authorities and have suspended their flight connections. The local carriers also had to greatly reduce the offer, because otherwise one would be docked at the point where sooner or later the entire flight crew would have been in quarantine.

Along with lifting quarantine regulations, Hong Kong will also suspend temperature checks for some passengers at Hong Kong International Airport. Outbound and transit passengers who fly overseas via the airport no longer need to have their temperature checked. However, passengers entering Hong Kong and departing passengers bound for China or Macao will still have their temperatures taken. The sense and purpose of this action is questionable, because fever measurement has long been considered outdated and has never contained the corona virus in any way. Especially with the omicron variant, there is very often no increased body temperature at all.