China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced a series of newly tightened rules on Wednesday, as authorities warned that the city is on the verge of another COVID-19 outbreak.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that passenger flights from eight countries, including the U.S., UK, Australia, France, India, Canada, Pakistan and the Philippines, will be banned for two weeks starting January 8.

"Passenger flights from these countries will not be allowed to land in Hong Kong and individuals who have stayed in those countries are not allowed to board flights to Hong Kong, including transit flights," Lam said.

All large-scale public events would be canceled while over a dozen types of businesses, including bars, nightclubs, gyms and beauty parlors, would have to close for two weeks starting Friday. Dining inside restaurants will be banned after 6 p.m., Lam added, although they can continue to serve takeout.

Hong Kong reported 39 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. The city reported its first two local transmission of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus on December 31, 2021.  

(With input from AFP)