The near-empty departures hall at Hong Kong International Airport on Aug 10, 2021. (PAUL YEUNG / BLOOMBERG)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported three new imported COVID-19 cases on Thursday as the city banned Qatar Airways flights from Doha.

In a statement, the Centre for Health Protection said the new cases involved a 38-year-old man who arrived from Nepal, a 47-year-old man from Greece, and a 34-year-old man from Pakistan.

The Centre for Health Protection said the new cases involved a 38-year-old man from Nepal, a 47-year-old man from Greece, and a 34-year-old man from Pakistan

The three patients, who showed no symptoms, were all fully vaccinated in Hong Kong before they traveled abroad. The man who returned from Greece also tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.

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There were 54 cases reported between Aug 12 to 25, including an untraceable case and an import-related infection. The city’s tally of confirmed cases stood at 12,077, the CHP said.

A total of 50 confirmed patients were being treated as of Thursday in 10 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, including one patient in serious condition, the Hospital Authority said.

The CHP also said that Qatar Airways flights from Doha will be barred from landing in Hong Kong starting Friday until Sept 9.

The Department of Health made the decision after Qatar Airways passenger flight QR818 from Doha arrived in Hong Kong on Aug 24 with one passenger who tested positive for the virus and two passengers who failed to comply with the requirements under the city's Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation.

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In late July, Hong Kong also temporarily banned Qatar Airways flights from Doha after four passengers on a flight which arrived on July 18 tested positive for the coronavirus.