Omicron variant: New Year’s Eve expected to mark end of HK’s zero-case streak; Covid-positive aircrew member ‘visited Central bar’

New Year’s Eve is expected to mark the end of Hong Kong’s 84-day streak of zero local coronavirus infections, with concerns growing over a potential outbreak after three aircrew members carrying the Omicron variant violated isolation protocols, including by visiting a Central bar.

Two preliminary-positive cases have already been linked to one of the aircrew members, while a source on Friday said that another patient previously thought to have mostly stayed at home during his incubation period was instead found to have visited a bar – believed to be Iron Fairies on Hollywood Road – on his third day back in Hong Kong after returning from the United States.