Nicole Kidman secured exemption from coronavirus quarantine in Hong Kong: Coronavirus updates: NPR

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Actress Nicole Kidman speaks in Pasadena, Calif., January 15, 2020. The Hong Kong government said Thursday it recently granted a quarantine exemption for someone to perform “designated professional work” after reports surfaced that Kidman did not have to undergo quarantine.

Willy Sanjuan / Willy Sanjuan / Invision / AP


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Actress Nicole Kidman speaks in Pasadena, Calif., January 15, 2020. The Hong Kong government said Thursday it recently granted a quarantine exemption for someone to perform “designated professional work” after reports surfaced that Kidman did not have to undergo quarantine.

Willy Sanjuan / Willy Sanjuan / Invision / AP

HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s granting of a quarantine exemption to Hollywood star Nicole Kidman draws criticism from lawmakers as the city tightens entry restrictions for international travelers to control the coronavirus.

Kidman, who reportedly traveled to Hong Kong last week after suffering from coronavirus in Sydney, was exempted from a weeklong quarantine and was spotted in the city this week filming a new Amazon series Prime Video titled “Expats,” according to local media.

The government said in a statement Thursday that it had granted the exemption “for the purpose of performing designated professional work.”

He said the work was “fit for the maintenance of the necessary functioning and development of Hong Kong’s economy.”

Some Hong Kong lawmakers have criticized the decision.

“Nicole Kidman’s exemption case is not just about politics, it involves the issue of health security and is a question of injustice,” said lawmaker Priscilla Leung.

Leung said she herself was not exempt from quarantine when a family member was infected with the coronavirus.

Kidman’s exemption sets a precedent for other celebrities in the future, said lawmaker Michael Tien.

“(Even) our athletes who returned from the Tokyo Olympics were to have seven days of quarantine,” he said.

Hong Kong tightens entry requirements for travelers

Kidman’s exemption comes as the Hong Kong government tightened entry requirements for travelers, adding 15 countries including the United States to the high-risk category and forcing vaccinated travelers from medium-risk countries to spend 14 days in quarantine starting Friday.

Previously, those traveling from medium-risk countries could quarantine themselves for only seven days at a designated hotel if they had a valid vaccination record and a positive COVID-19 antibody test.

Authorities say Kidman is required to comply with virus rules in Hong Kong and is required to submit an itinerary and travel in a private vehicle to avoid contact with the public.

“With this exemption, that doesn’t mean she can go wherever she wants,” said Edward Yau, Hong Kong’s trade and economic development secretary, on Friday.

The reactions of residents have been mixed.

“I think the quarantine period cannot be shortened because we all know you can still test positive even after 14 days of quarantine, and even if you are vaccinated,” nursing student Sum Yip said. “If the government shortens the quarantine period, it cannot protect the people. “

But David Peatfield, a teacher from the UK, said she didn’t mind the exemption for Kidman because she was vaccinated and her series would bring “good publicity” to Hong Kong.

He said filming the series in Hong Kong would also bring jobs to the city.

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