Hong Kong — one particular of the previous locations globally with a mandate — will scrap Covid mask prerequisite

Hong Kong will fall its Covid-19 mask mandate, chief govt John Lee stated on Tuesday, in a transfer to lure back guests and company and restore typical existence extra than three years soon after stringent policies were being first imposed in the economical hub.

The measure will just take influence from Wednesday, Lee told a push briefing. The distinctive administrative location of Hong Kong is a person of the past spots globally that even now imposes a mask mandate.

Hong Kong and Macao the two followed China’s zero-Covid plan for substantially of the earlier 3 yrs. Hong Kong started unwinding its stringent Covid policies previous year but mask-wearing has remained consistent due to the fact 2020.

“We feel this is the best timing to make this choice. It is a apparent message to clearly show Hong Kong is resuming normalcy,” Lee mentioned.

In substantial threat sites these types of as hospitals, administrators can make your mind up no matter if to involve team and readers to dress in masks, he mentioned.

Neighboring particular administrative area Macao reported on Feb. 26 that it would drop Covid-19-associated mask prerequisites for most locations, besides for community transportation, hospitals and a handful of other areas.

In mainland China citizens are not essential to put on masks outdoors, even though authorities motivate them to do so in general public indoor parts this sort of as airports and teach stations.

Hong Kong’s shift to scrap masks arrives immediately after its authorities this month released a advertising campaign identified as “Hello Hong Kong” to bring back again tourists and corporations which have steered crystal clear of the former British colony given that 2020.

Hong Kong had caught rigidly to its mask rule, even in schools where by young children as younger as two a long time outdated were mandated to put on them outside their residences. Lots of learners and instructors have been concerned about the effect on mastering and child growth.

Pupils are nonetheless mandated to get every day swift antigen tests to verify for Covid while authorities announced previous 7 days that this would be scrapped starting off from March 1 for secondary school learners and major universities and nurseries from March 15.

Enterprise teams, diplomats and lots of inhabitants experienced slammed Hong Kong’s Covid-19 policies, indicating they threatened its competitiveness and standing as an intercontinental money middle.