The Hong Kong government ordered the culling of 2000 hamsters in Hong Kong. The order was issued over fears of an animal-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 virus after a pet shop saleswoman tested positive for the Delta variant, and samples collected from hamsters at the pet shop were also positive.
In response to Hong Kong’s new quarantine requirements on locally based cargo crew, on December 30, 2021, Cathay Pacific airlines announced the suspension of all long-haul cargo and cargo-only passenger flights until January 6, 2022.