The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Sunday night issued the red outbound travel alert on the United States, Britain and Ireland based on public health considerations.
The alert was issued in view of the health risks arising from the persistent and rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in these three countries, according to an official statement.
Under the alert, the HKSAR government urged Hong Kong residents about to travel to these countries to adjust their plans and avoid non-essential travel.
The government also advised members of the public to consider delaying all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
In light of the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases overseas, the government has issued such alerts on multiple countries and regions such as Europe's Schengen Area, South Korea, Hokkaido in Japan, Iran and Egypt.
Up to now, more than 70,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infections have been reported in over 140 countries and regions outside the Chinese mainland.
Following the alert, starting from March 16, the Department of Health of the HKSAR government expanded its mandatory home quarantine to arrivals who have been to the United States, Britain, Ireland and Egypt in the past 14 days, regardless of whether they are Hong Kong residents.
