Neighbouring special administrative region Macao, said on Feb 26 that it would drop COVID-19-related mask requirements for most locations, except for public transportation, hospitals and a handful of other areas.
In mainland China residents are not required to wear masks outdoors, although authorities encourage them to do so in public indoor areas such as airports and train stations.
Hong Kong’s move to scrap masks comes after its government this month launched a promotional campaign called “Hello Hong Kong” to bring back tourists and businesses which have steered clear of the former British colony since 2020.
Hong Kong had stuck rigidly to its mask rule, even in schools where children as young as two years old were mandated to wear them outside their homes. Many students and teachers have been concerned about the impact on learning and child development.
Students are still mandated to take daily rapid antigen tests to check for COVID-19 although authorities announced last week that this would be scrapped starting from Mar 1 for secondary school students and primary schools and nurseries from Mar 15.
Business groups, diplomats and many residents had slammed Hong Kong’s COVID-19 rules, saying they threatened its competitiveness and standing as an international financial centre.
Source: CNA
