Malaysia joins US, 13 others on Hong Kong’s list of high-risk Covid-19 countries

Hong Kong has placed Malaysia on a list of countries that it considers as “high-risk” for Covid-19, alongside the US, France, Thailand and the UAE.

The move, which takes effect on Aug 20, means those travelling from these countries will be subjected to longer quarantine periods and Covid-19 tests despite being vaccinated.

Others newly added to the list are Bangladesh, Cambodia, Greece, Iran, the Netherlands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania and Turkey.

Brazil, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa and Britain are already in Hong Kong’s high-risk category.

Malaysia is among the many countries that have been affected by the global surge in cases blamed on the Delta variant.

Today, Malaysia reported 22,948 Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, with 178 more deaths pushing the virus toll to 13,480. Similar numbers of daily cases are being reported in Thailand and France, while the US is seeing a return to pre-vaccination levels of daily numbers and casualties.

The decision to add more countries to the high-risk group comes amid concerns in Hong Kong that people from countries such as the US still pose a risk in spreading the virus despite being fully vaccinated.

Travellers from countries in the high-risk category are required to have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days before boarding a flight to Hong Kong.

Upon arrival, they must undergo three weeks of quarantine, during which time a total of four tests will be conducted.