the Quarantine exemption that government Hong Kong awarded to Nicole Kidman born Criticism from lawmakers As the city tightens entry restrictions for international travelers to control the coronavirus.
Kidmanwhich is reported to have arrived Hong Kong Last week from Sydney, the city affected by the virus, He was released from a week-long quarantine and was seen in town this week filming the new Amazon Prime video series, “Expats.”, according to the local press.
The government said in a statement that it had granted the exemption.For the purpose of performing the assigned professional work“.
He said the job wasConducive to maintaining the necessary performance and development of Hong Kong’s economy“.
Some lawmakers in Hong Kong criticized the decision.
“Nicole Kidman’s abdication isn’t just about politics, it’s about health security and it’s a matter of injusticesaid legislator Priscilla Leung.
Leung said she herself was not exempt from quarantine when a member of her family contracted the coronavirus.
Legislator Michael Tian said Kidman’s dismissal sets a precedent for other celebrities in the future.
“(Even) Athletes who returned from the Tokyo Olympics had to stay in quarantine for seven days“, pointed out.
Kidman’s exemption comes as the Hong Kong government has tightened entry requirements for travelers, adding 15 countries, including the United States, to a high-risk category and requiring immune travelers from medium-risk countries to spend 14 days in quarantine starting Friday.
Previously, the city allowed travelers from medium-risk countries to stay only seven days in quarantine in designated hotels if they were fully vaccinated and tested positive for antibodies.
Authorities say Kidman is obligated to comply with Hong Kong virus rulesYou must provide your itinerary and travel in a private vehicle to avoid contact with the public.
“This exemption does not mean that you can go where you wantEdward Yao, Hong Kong’s Minister for Trade and Economic Development, said Friday.
The reactions of the population were mixed.
“I think the quarantine period cannot be shortened, because we all know that you can still get tested even after 14 days of quarantine, and even if you have been vaccinatedsaid Som Yip, a nursing student. “If the government shortens the quarantine period, it cannot protect people“.
But David Pitfield, a professor from the United Kingdom, said he wouldn’t mind relieving Kidman because the actress had been vaccinated and that her series would bring “good publicity” to Hong Kong.
He said filming the series in Hong Kong would also create job opportunities in the city.
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