Hong Kong, one of the last places in the world to implement a Covid-19 ban on face coverings, will drop its mask mandate after more than two and a half years.
John Lee, China’s regional leader and former top police officer, said the requirement to wear masks indoors, outdoors and on public transport would be lifted from Wednesday. The mask mandate has been implemented since July 2020.
“By lifting the mask mandate, we have now officially lifted all anti-epidemic restrictions. Hong Kong has returned to normal,” said health minister Lo Chung-mau. “We can all put a smile on our faces.”
Japan does not have a mask mandate but eased mask-wearing guidelines in February.
Macau, another Chinese territory close to Hong Kong, relaxed its outdoor and indoor mask mandate on Monday, while Taiwan suspended its indoor mask mandate in February, having previously lifted its outdoor requirement for face coverings.
Hong Kong’s economy has been crippled after the city was forced to follow China in imposing strict pandemic restrictions, including a week-long quarantine and tourist ban.
Along with a tough security crackdown following the 2019 pro-democracy protests, the rules undermined the city’s status as a financial center.
Lee said the city will try to rebuild. “We will focus on the economy and urban development this year and next after we resume normality,” he said on Tuesday.