Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam said Wednesday that the government will introduce a series of new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, Reuters reported.

Lam warns Hong Kong is on the brink of a new coronavirus outbreak.

The new rules include a ban on flights from eight countries for two weeks from January 8: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Pakistan, Philippines, France and India.

Earlier, Hong Kong authorities ordered the Royal Caribbean ship to return to port ahead of time, as health officials fear a fifth wave of infections.