LONDON, England: British Airways has suspended flights to Hong Kong, after its crew members were reported to have been forced to quarantine in a government center, which follows a similar incident the week before.

Hong Kong is maintaining a zero-Covid policy in order to reopen its border with mainland China.

British Airways confirmed it has temporarily stopped flights "while we review operational requirements for this route."

According to the South China Morning Post, a British Airways staff members tested positive for COVID-19, causing most crew members to be sent to a quarantine center.

The South China Morning Post was told by a spokesperson for Hong Kong's Department of Health that the British Air crew members have since returned to the UK.

Regarding the recent measures enforced upon its crew, British Air stressed, "We are supporting crew who are currently isolating in Hong Kong. We work within local regulations for every country we fly to, and always put the safety and wellbeing of our teams and customers at the heart of everything we do."

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific airline canceled some passenger flights in December due to staff shortages, as its airline crews were required to remain in their hotel rooms between flights before undergoing a 14-day quarantine when they return home.

"We apologize to our customers who have had their travel plans disrupted and will be in touch to give them options," British Air said in a statement.

Both British Air and Virgin Atlantic cancelled flights after the UK government temporarily banned travelers from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini following the discovery of the Covid Omicron variant.

Those countries were added to the UK's red travel list, along with Angola, Namibia, Mozambique and Zambia.