Hong Kong lifts COVID-19 small animal ban

Hong Kong well being officers banned imported hamsters and different small mammals of overseas origin in January of 2022

A spokesman for Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department issued an announcement, asserting that the town authorities is ready to scratch a year-long ban on import of hamsters and different small mammals, that was outlawed final 12 months over COVID-19 considerations.

While the imported small pets will nonetheless require a unfavorable coronavirus check outcomes earlier than they are often offered within the metropolis, those that check constructive can be simply quarantined any more ‘until the test result is satisfactory.’

According to Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department‘s official, the testing is critical as a result of research have confirmed the rodents usually are not simply vulnerable to the virus, however that they will simply transmit it to people.

Hong Kong banned imported hamsters and different small mammals of overseas origin final January, after virtually a dozen hamsters shipped from the Netherlands had been discovered to be contaminated with the Delta variant of coronavirus.

Delta variant had not been seen in people for months and was believed to have left Hong Kong till a 23-year-old employee at Little Boss pet store examined constructive and allegedly contaminated a buyer.

City’s well being officers ended up culling 2,500 hamsters, plus just a few rabbits and chinchillas, in response to the invention, which occurred whereas Hong Kong was making an attempt to implement China’s extreme Zero COVID coverage.

Hong Kong residents had been additionally ordered to show of their pet hamsters for testing, however solely 113 households reportedly did so, and simply a type of pets examined constructive for the virus. 

While hamsters remained banned because the panic light, pet shops had been allowed to renew importing non-hamster mammals in May.

The reversal of the hamster ban comes amid a wider opening-up for Hong Kong, which has lifted lodge quarantines, bar and restaurant bans, and PCR check necessities for brand spanking new arrivals.

However, the town reportedly plans to retain its masks mandate, citing concern about influenza in addition to COVID-19.

Travel to and from mainland China is predicted to re-open later this week as Beijing eases its personal Zero-COVID insurance policies.