Hong Kong suspends flight bans as it eases COVID rules

Its removal paves the way for many residents to return home, with scores stranded overseas due to the flight bans

Hong Kong has suspended a rule that banned individual flights for bringing in passengers infected with the COVID-19 virus, as it caused "unnecessary trouble" and inconvenience to residents of the global financial hub, Qazet.az reports according to the government.

The city has banned more than 100 flights this year. The bans were a major frustration for businesses and residents used to easy and efficient travel from the former British colony.

"The social cost caused by the 'circuit breaker mechanism' is quite large, and it also brings unnecessary trouble to these international students and their families," the government said in a statement.