COVID Concerns Continue

COVID Concerns Continue

On July 10, 2022, Reuters announced the city of Shanghai has reopened after two months of lockdown that began in June 2022; however, officials continue to impose tough restrictions as it locks down districts to reduce the spread of the COVID epidemic.  The Shanghai health commissioner indicated several major Shanghai districts will undergo two rounds of COVID tests, from July 12-14, 2022, to bring potential new outbreaks under control. The detected variant BA.5 has been discovered in several areas and the variant has an accelerated rate of transmission. Individuals who are currently vaccinated do not withstand contracting the detected BA.5 variant. However, being vaccinated remains effective to prevent serious illness or death. The world continues to rely on China for medical products/medicines to include face masks coverings.

Hong Kong is lifting its strict travel ban and allowing International travelers for the first time since 2020. Last week, during a visit to Southern California, Hong Kong Airport Authority Chairman Jack So announced that Hong Kong is lifting the ban for nine countries, including the United States. Airports will operate with an additional runway to accommodate.

The U.S. State Department indicated on July 5th, via www.Travel.State.gov, that the travel advisory for Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region is at Level 4. A “Do Not Travel” advisory is also initiated due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws caused by COVID related restrictions. Information on COVID-related restrictions and conditions can be found at the Consulate General Hong Kong’s COVID-19 page, including travel requirements.

Public Health Officials in Los Angeles Country are seeing a spike in COVID and again may reinstate an indoor mask requirement near the end of July 2022.

Please contact your Western Overseas representative with questions.