The upside to Nicole Kidman’s Hong Kong quarantine exemption: it could bring in more film industry elites and boost the city’s economy

It’s no real salve to those who have had to endure quarantine in a hotel, but Nicole Kidman’s exemption from it could be considered a blessing

Think about the upside of the government’s controversial decision – it could be the beginning of the city opening its doors to international businesses again

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Nicole Kidman filming in Mong Kok. She did not have to endure hotel quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong, and many people are not happy about it. Photo: AFP

Luisa Tam

Luisa Tam has been a journalist for more than 30 years.

Published: 11:00am, 28 Aug 2021

I suspect Nicole Kidman did not, upon touching down in Hong Kong, anticipate her sojourn to film an upcoming Amazon Prime series would cause such a public outcry.

The row over the quarantine exemption for the Australian actress has been well reported both locally and internationally – but for those of you who may not have heard, here’s the long and short of it.

She arrived in Hong Kong from Australia on a private jet on August 12. A mere two days after arriving, she was seen visiting a boutique in Central, on Hong Kong Island, rather than submitting to the then-standard seven-day quarantine for those inbound from Australia.

As expected, the Hong Kong public has been outraged by the apparent privilege bestowed on the Hollywood A-lister. Meanwhile, returning Hongkongers and other inbound travellers are having to adhere to the city’s stringent quarantine restrictions; travellers from “high-risk” countries are subject to a 21-day quarantine.