KATHMANDU: Hong Kong has lifted the COVID-19 induced ban on flights from countries including Nepal.

Hong Kong had banned flights from nine countries, including Nepal, to control the coronavirus pandemic.

Citing the decline rate of the coronavirus cases, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Chung Yuet has lifted the flight ban.

The new ban also reduces the quarantine period imposed after entering Hong Kong, according to the South China Morning Post.

Similarly, the border control rules have been amended with effect from April 1.

Plans for general testing have also been put on hold and the current quarantine period of 14 days has been reduced to seven days. However, for that, their COVID-19 test should be negative.

Likewise, all schools formerly closed due to coronavirus spread will be open from April 19.

With the opening of the flight on April 1, additional hotels have been identified to make arrangements for quarantine.

Hong Kong had banned flights from Nepal, Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States. Citizens of these countries now have to abide by certain rules when traveling to Hong Kong. Out of which passengers have to show full vaccination and COVID-19 negative report of last 48 hours.

Hong Kong had imposed a ban on flights from eight countries on January 8 citing the explosive spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus. Nepal was later added to the list on February 12.