THB follows up on imported cases of COVID-19 involving cargo crew

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     The Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) today (November 18) received the investigation report of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited on the three recent imported cases of COVID-19 involving the airline's locally based cargo crew. The THB is deeply regretful of and can hardly accept the concerned cargo crew's non-compliance with the requirements of closed-loop operation during their layover at the outport concerned. Though noting that these are individual cases, considering the severity of the incident, the THB has already directed Cathay Pacific to follow up on the matter seriously and to make the best endeavours in preventing the occurrence of similar incidents.

     The THB noted that Cathay Pacific had, upon the bureau's request, implemented a series of enhancement measures, including imposing daily post-arrival testing for returning air crew, stepping up the monitoring on air crew's compliance with the requirements of closed-loop operation during their layovers at outports, imposing more stringent restrictions on air crew's movements during their medical surveillance periods and promulgating clearer guidelines, and requiring all air crew to receive the third doses of vaccines.

     During the ongoing epidemic, air cargo services are indispensable for the normal operation of society and for ensuring that the daily needs of citizens are met. The THB has again reminded all airlines to strictly comply with the anti-epidemic regulatory requirements, and will continue to maintain close communication with the industry with a view to maintaining smooth air cargo services into and out of Hong Kong while safeguarding public health, so that the normal operation of Hong Kong's economy and in turn the global supply chain can be maintained.

Ends/Thursday, November 18, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:58

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