The Chinese region of Hong Kong announced on Monday the end of the mandatory use of a mask, starting March 1, lifting one of the last restrictions imposed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The leader of the Government, John Lee Ka-chiu, has confirmed at a press conference that the mask will no longer be necessary both in outdoor and indoor spaces, including public transport.
The Chief Executive stressed, however, that some facilities considered high risk, such as health units, hospitals and nursing homes, may decide to maintain the mandatory use of a mask.
John Lee said he made the decision because he believes Hong Kong’s population has already developed an immune barrier, something that will have prevented a surge in infections after the end of the ‘zero Covid’ policy in December.
“To give people a very clear message that Hong Kong is returning to normal, I think it is the right time to make the decision,” said the government leader.
The return to normality will be beneficial to the city’s economic development and international competitiveness, Lee said.
Also from March 1, students will no longer be required to take daily rapid Covid-19 tests to enter secondary schools, although the rule will remain for primary schools and kindergartens for another two weeks.
Employees and people who want to enter public hospitals and nursing homes must continue to take rapid tests.
The Chinese metropolis was one of the last jurisdictions in the world to require the use of a mask in almost all public places, for everyone over the age of 2, under penalty of a fine of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (1,200 euros).
Taiwan last week lifted most restrictions due to Covid-19, including mandatory mask wearing, while Japan’s government is expected to do the same when current rules expire on March 13.
In the neighboring region, Macao, the mandatory use of a mask in open spaces was lifted on Monday.
However, it is still necessary to wear a mask to enter medical institutions, retirement and rehabilitation homes or on public transport, with the exception of taxis.
Hong Kong, with 7.4 million inhabitants, has officially registered almost 2.9 million cases of Covid-19 and 13,333 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Source: TSF
