A passenger wearing a mask as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 walks out of the international arrivals after landing from France at Dulles International airport in Dulles, Virginia on March 12, 2020. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong government on Friday issued the red outbound travel alert on Schengen area of Europe in light of the rising number of infections there and expaned quarantine measures to more areas.

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All three coronavirus patients confirmed by Hong Kong health authorities on Friday had travel history to Europe. One of them was a 16-month-old boy -- the city's youngest patient so far -- whose parents were confirmed positive earlier this week. The family returned from the UK on Feb 29. 

In a statement issued on Friday, the government announced red outbound travel alerts for Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Principality of Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In a separate statement, the Hong Kong government announced to expand quarantine measures to more areas. 

Arrivals who have been to Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do in South Korea, Iran and Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto regions in Italy in the past 14 days will have to stay in a quarantine center.

Those arriving in Hong Kong who have been to Italy (except Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Veneto regions), Bourgogne-Franche-Comte and Grand Est regions in France, North Rhine-Westphalia region in Germany, Hokkaido in Japan and La Rioja, Madrid and Pais Vasco regions in Spain in the past 14 days will have to isolate themselves at home, effective Tuesday.

Meanwhile, arrivals from South Korea (except Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do) and Schengen Area in Europe will also be subject to compulsory home quarantine, effective Saturday.

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The government also warned the public of the risks in Egypt, as a red travel alert on the country issued in 2014 remains in force. All nine members of a tour group from Hong Kong to Egypt had contracted the virus following a trip to the North African country.

The government urged travelers to avoid non-essential trips or delay their travel plans.