Hong Kong bans flights, imposes other COVID-19 restrictions

Passengers look out from the Spectrum of the Seas cruise ship docked at Kai Tak cruise terminal in Hong Kong Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Thousands of passengers were being held Wednesday on the cruise ship in Hong Kong for coronavirus testing after health authorities said nine passengers were linked to a recent omicron cluster and ordered the ship to turn back. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Hong Kong authorities announced a two-week ban on flights from the United States and seven other countries and held 2,500 passengers on a cruise ship for coronavirus testing Wednesday as the city attempted to stem an emerging omicron outbreak.

The two-week ban on passenger flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Britain and the United States will take effect Sunday and continue until Jan. 21.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam also announced that restaurant dining will be forbidden after 6 p.m. for two weeks starting Friday. Game arcades, bars and beauty salons must also close during that period.