Hong Kong is scrapping its COVID-19 masks mandate from Wednesday, practically three years after the strict measures had been imposed within the monetary hub.
“I announce that the masking requirement shall be fully canceled beginning tomorrow, March 1, together with for indoors, open air and (on) public transportation,” Chief Govt John Lee mentioned at a media briefing on Tuesday.
The Asian metropolis was one of many final locations on this planet nonetheless to require individuals to put on masks in nearly all public settings.
It was additionally obligatory in Hong Kong for individuals over the age of two to put on face coverings, failing which they may face a penalty of as much as HK$10,000 (€1,204; $ 1,275).
“We expect that is one of the best timing to make this choice. It’s a clear message to indicate Hong Kong is resuming normalcy,” Lee mentioned.
The transfer comes after Hong Kong’s authorities launched a promotional marketing campaign known as “Hey Hong Kong” to carry again vacationers and companies which have stayed away from the previous British colony because the begin of the pandemic.
Hong Kong, together with neighboring Macau, adopted China’s stringent zero-COVID coverage for a lot of the final three years. Folks getting into the nation had been required to spend as much as 21 days in lodge quarantine.
Macau too has introduced plans to drop masks necessities for many areas, besides public transport and hospitals.
dvv/nm (AFP, Reuters)
