Hong Kong bans flights from UK for two weeks

Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam has announced new Covid rules (Vincent Yu/AP)

Hong Kong authorities have announced a two-week ban on flights from the UK and seven other countries and held 2,500 passengers on a cruise ship for coronavirus testing as the city attempts to stem an emerging Omicron outbreak.

The two-week ban on passenger flights from Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Britain and the United States will take effect on Sunday and continue until January 21.