The Chinese language territory hopes the relief of its final coronavirus measures will lure again guests and enhance enterprise.
Hong Kong will scrap its masks mandate on March 1, Chief Govt John Lee has introduced, ending the territory’s final main coronavirus measure after almost 1,000 days.
Hong Kong adopted China’s zero-COVID coverage for a lot of the pandemic however started unwinding the strict covid guidelines final 12 months.
It hopes that the relief of COVID-19 curbs will lure again guests and kick-start enterprise.
“We predict that is the perfect timing to make this determination. It’s a clear message to point out Hong Kong is resuming normalcy,” Lee stated.
In high-risk locations resembling hospitals, directors can resolve whether or not to require workers and guests to put on masks, he added.
Hong Kong was one of many final locations on the earth to require face coverings in almost all public settings — indoors and outdoor — with everybody over the age of two required to put on a masks or danger a positive of as a lot as 10,000 Hong Kong {dollars} ( $1,275).
Hong Kong’s leisure of masks guidelines follows the lead of the neighboring Chinese language territory of Macau, which relaxed its personal masks guidelines on Monday.
In mainland Chinaresidents should not required to put on masks outdoor, though authorities encourage them to take action in indoor locations resembling airports and stations.
Earlier this month, Hong Kong launched a promotional marketing campaign known as “Whats up Hong Kong” to lure again worldwide guests who’ve given the once-popular territory a large berth since 2020.
Enterprise teams, diplomats and lots of residents stated the COVID-19 guidelines threatened Hong Kong’s competitiveness and standing as a global monetary centre.
