Hong Kong govt defends quarantine exemption for Kidman after public outrage
Shanghai, China, Aug 20 (EFE).- The Hong Kong government Friday defended the Covid-19 quarantine exemption for Australian actress Nicole Kidman after the move sparked public outrage.
The Hollywood star is in Hong Kong to shoot for an Amazon series about the lives of expats in the former British colony.The authorities said the actor had not breached any of the conditions for her quarantine-free arrival in Hong Kong.
The conditions included minimizing any contact with the public.
However, she was seen out and about in the city after her arrival.
Travelers arriving in the autonomous region have to undergo 21-day mandatory quarantine to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Lawmakers Friday lashed out at the government for giving “preferential treatment” to Kidman and her film crew.”Is that going to be a precedent? Does it mean that when people come to make films they will be exempted,” said lawmaker Michael Tien.
The government defended the move, noting that they had imposed conditions with exemptions and an approved itinerary, the official Radio Television Hong Kong reported.
“In that specific itinerary, it is dictated what they can do and they cannot do…they have to take all necessary measures to ensure safety,” Health Secretary Sophia Chan said.
Hong Kong authorities consider Australia a “medium risk” region.
It means people flying to Hong Kong from there must spend 14 days in quarantine in a designated hotel.
The travelers should be fully vaccinated and should have tested negative for the virus. EFE
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