Australian actress Nicole Kidman was in Hong Kong recently to film a drama series, but it was her quarantine-free deal that sparked attention to her visit instead.
Hong Kong had recently increased the mandatory quarantine on Hong Kong residents returning from 16 countries, including the US to 21 days (from one week).
The 54 year-old, who is executive producer for 'Expats', a show by Amazon, was photographed shopping just two days after landing in her private jet, and later in Sai Wan district for filming.
Her five-member film crew had also been exempted from quarantine for "designated professional work".
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said that the government's decision had "struck a balance" between helping the Hollywood star and epidemic control, said a SCMP report.
However, many locals and the expatriate community have taken to social media to share their outrage. Many in the city have not seen family and friends for the last 18 months, as Hong Kong has one of the world's most stringent border curbs.
"Right then, that's it. My Mum is changing her name to 'Nicole Kidman' and I've just sent my Gulfstream G650 to pick her up," said one user on Twitter account webbhk, popular with expats.
"We should also set up a film company and employ all our friends and family whom want to visit Hong Kong without quarantine as film extras or crew," another user wrote.