Residents and tourists returning from 16 countries are now considered “high-risk” due to the Delta outbreak
Hong Kong introduces tighter travel restrictions for incoming residents
Hong Kong appears to be caught between its COVID-zero policy and its strong desire to re-open after tightening travel restrictions for incoming travellers.
The move comes less than two months after the easing of tough quarantine measures, as fears grow regarding a resurgence in COVID-19 cases from the Delta variant.
Travel curbs are tightened for residents returning from 16 countries including the United States, France and Spain.
Initially these countries were considered “medium-risk” but are now upgraded to the “high-risk” category following recent outbreaks, a government spokesperson says.
“The global COVID-19 epidemic situation is under serious threat from the Delta variant, with acute surges in the number of confirmed cases within a short period of time in many countries.”
“Despite large-scale vaccination programmes, many places are also experiencing resurgence of the virus, which poses enormous challenges to our local anti-epidemic efforts.”
The new restrictions, taking effect from midnight August 20, means vaccinated residents returning from those countries must spend 21 days in hotel quarantine upon arrival.
The curb will also see unvaccinated residents and tourists denied entry into the region.
“After considering a basket of factors, the Government … has imposed more stringent boarding, quarantine and testing requirements on relevant inbound travellers in order to uphold the local barrier against the importation of COVID-19,” a government spokesperson says.
Prior to the update in restrictions, arriving residents and tourists who are vaccinated, only had to isolate in hotel quarantine for one week.
But the seven-day isolation period wasn’t enough for a returning resident from the United States who tested positive for the virus after completing their week-stay in quarantine.
“The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic situation of various places and adopt a risk-based approach,” a government spokesperson says.
“[We will] adjust the boarding, quarantine and testing requirements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from relevant places based on the risk levels as the situation warrants.”
Cybersecurity experts agree its essential to get the basics of protecting your business and customers first.
Regulators around the world are stepping up scrutiny of corporations who have failed to uphold proper cybersecurity protocols.
And on the eve of cybersecurity awareness month, experts are warning that it’s important to get the basics right of protecting your customers – or your own data.
For more, we’re joined by Annie Hagger of Cyber GC, and Sam Fariborz, group manager of cybersecurity services & program at the Kmart Group.
Ukraine has managed to launch successful attacks on key Russian military facilities, leaving experts and analysts baffled by the unexpected outcomes.
These strategic assaults have raised questions about Ukraine’s military capabilities and the effectiveness of its tactics in countering Russian forces.
Ukraine’s recent victories can be attributed to several key factors. First and foremost, the country has significantly improved its intelligence gathering and information warfare capabilities, allowing it to pinpoint vulnerabilities in Russian defenses. This enhanced situational awareness has enabled Ukraine to launch precise and coordinated strikes on critical military installations.
Additionally, Ukraine has received substantial support from international allies, both in terms of military equipment and training. This assistance has bolstered the Ukrainian military’s effectiveness and provided them with advanced weaponry, giving them an edge in their confrontations with Russian forces.
Furthermore, Ukraine’s determination and resilience in the face of adversity cannot be underestimated. The country’s citizens and armed forces have shown unwavering commitment to defending their sovereignty, driving them to devise innovative strategies and tactics to outmaneuver the Russian military.
The world watches with bated breath as Ukraine’s successful attacks continue to unfold, highlighting the evolving nature of modern warfare and the adaptability of smaller nations facing formidable adversaries.
Former Spain manager Jorge Vilda is set to come under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation into the ‘kissgate’ controversy involving Luis Rubiales.
The investigation, which has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, centers around an alleged incident where Luis Rubiales, known for his fiery personality, kissed a reporter without her consent during a press conference in 2022. The incident quickly gained attention on social media and was widely condemned.
As part of the probe, authorities are now turning their attention to Jorge Vilda, who was the head coach of the Spanish national women’s team at the time of the incident. It is alleged that Vilda may have had knowledge of the incident or been aware of Rubiales’s behavior during the press conference.
Vilda, a respected figure in women’s football, has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that he had no prior knowledge of Rubiales’s actions. He expressed his shock and disappointment at being dragged into the controversy.
The investigation is being closely followed by football fans and stakeholders alike, as it raises questions about the accountability of individuals in positions of power within the sport. The ‘kissgate’ scandal has already had far-reaching implications for Rubiales, who resigned as the president of the Spanish Football Federation amidst the controversy.