The two countries will be added to the high risk category of Group A countries. Non-residents will be banned from entry, while returning Hong Kong residents must accept a 21-day quarantine at designated quarantine hotels.

Hongkongers can only board a flight heading to the city if they have been fully vaccinated and hold a recognized vaccination record. They will have to undergo six Covid tests during quarantine, and a compulsory testing on the 26th day of arrival in the city.

On Thursday evening, the government announced that five countries including Finland, Ghana, South Korea, Norway and Saudi Arabia had already been added to the list of high risk Group A countries.