Hong Kong has imposed a temporary ban on all Philippine Airlines flights between Manila and the city-state, quashing the plans of thousands of domestic workers aiming to return to work. The unexpected ban by the government comes just a day after it was set to reopen its borders to vaccinated foreign domestic workers.

Hong Kong officials said the ban will be in effect for two weeks, starting on Sunday and ending on Sept. 11. The ban was imposed after health officials found that three out of the seven imported COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong had come from the Philippines. Three passengers on board Philippine Airlines flight PR300 had tested positive for COVID-19.

Overseas Employment Center president, Mike Cheung Chung-wai, said he was surprised about the government's decision. He added that the ban will not only have an immediate impact on both employees and domestic helpers but also on the future of hiring foreign domestic workers.

Last week, Hong Kong announced that it would be reopening its borders to vaccinated foreign domestic helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines. For months, thousands of would-be helpers from both countries have been stuck in limbo after Hong Kong announced that it would not recognize vaccination records issued by the governments of both countries.

Pressure from employers and the worsening labor shortage in the city-state forced officials to reconsider their decision. The government was finally able to strike a deal with the two high-risk countries, leading to the reopening of its border to vaccinated helpers.

Foreign domestic helpers had praised the decision, with most looking forward to traveling to Hong Kong to get back to work. Despite the limited number of quarantine facilities and the significant cost to employers, the industry was optimistic of a gradual return to normalcy.

The Hong Kong Employers of Domestic Helpers Association said employers and workers still have another option. They could rebook the flights of workers to either Cathay Pacific or Cebu Pacific Air, which both still have active flights between Hong Kong and Manila. The association said they have already received numerous complaints from members regarding canceled flights.

"The impact is not so serious as two other airlines are still operating ... but it's quite embarrassing for employers to (rebook) flights from Philippine Airlines to other airlines; the time frame is quite tight for them," Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies chairman, Thomas Chan Tung-fung, said.