The town outlawed the import of hamsters and different small mammals final 12 months over Covid-19 issues
Hong Kong is ready to repeal a year-long ban on importing hamsters on the market later this month. Whereas the overseas pets would require a destructive Covid-19 check earlier than they are often bought, those that check optimistic will merely be quarantined “till the check result’s passable.”
The transfer was introduced by a spokesman for the town’s Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Division in a press release on Wednesday. The testing is critical, the official stated, as a result of research have confirmed the rodents aren’t simply prone to the virus, however that they will simply cross it on to people.
Overseas hamsters — together with all different small mammals of abroad origin — had been banned final January after practically a dozen hamsters imported from the Netherlands had been discovered to be contaminated with the Delta variant. The variant had not been seen in people for months and was believed to have left the town till a 23-year-old employee at Little Boss pet store examined optimistic and allegedly contaminated a buyer.
Officers ended up culling 2,500 of the furry creatures, plus a number of rabbits and chinchillas, in response to the invention, which occurred whereas Hong Kong was trying to implement a strict Zero Covid technique. 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 optimistic for the virus.
Whereas hamsters remained banned because the panic light, pet shops had been allowed to renew importing non-hamster mammals in Might.
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. Nevertheless, it reportedly plans to retain its masks mandate, citing concern about influenza in addition to Covid-19. Journey to and from mainland China is predicted to re-open later this week as Beijing rolls again its personal Zero-Covid insurance policies.
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