Hong Kong leader lambasts Cathay Pacific over Omicron cases

Hong Kong authorities lambasted Cathay Pacific over breaches of Covid-19 restrictions, as health officials confirmed the first community-spread Omicron cases in the city. Hong Kong had confirmed at least 87 Omicron infections, most of which were imported. But two locally spread cases are believed to be linked to a Cathay crew member who visited the same restaurant as the infected individuals while under home quarantine. The airline said at least five crew members have tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus variant. Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s CE, on Friday expressed “strong dissatisfaction” during a meeting with the airline’s chair and CE. “Some [Cathay] crew members did not comply with requirements to undergo three days of isolation at home,” the city’s health minister Sophia Chan told a press conference. “The chief executive has expressed that these violations are totally unacceptable.” Cathay said it was “extremely disappointed” that staff had breached protocols and added they would face disciplinary procedures. The airline had earlier announced that it would halt all long-haul freight flights until at least January 6 after authorities extended quarantine restrictions for air crew because of the new Omicron cases. The government’s postal service said airmail delivery to the US, Canada, Australia and Mexico would be suspended from Saturday until further notice “owing to the substantial reduction in flight frequencies”. Hong Kong has imposed some of the world’s most stringent pandemic controls under its “zero-Covid” strategy, with most arrivals subjected to up to 21 days’ quarantine and non-residents from more than 120 countries banned from entering the city.<br/>