Hong Kong Lifts Rules For Using COVID-19 Masks Starting Tomorrow

JAKARTA - Hong Kong authorities will lift the rules for the use of COVID-19 masks, chief executive John Lee said on Tuesday, as efforts to bring back visitors and businesses, restoring normal life more than three years since Hong Kong first imposed strict restrictions.

"The action will take effect from Wednesday," Lee said in a press conference, as reported by Reuters on February 28. Hong Kong's special administrative area is one of the last regions globally that still enforces mask usage rules.

Hong Kong and Macau have both followed China's zero-COVID policy over the past three years. Hong Kong began easing strict COVID rules last year, but mask wearing has remained in effect since 2020.

"We think this is the best time to make this decision. This is a clear message to show Hong Kong is back to normal," Lee said.

"In high-risk places like hospitals, administrators can decide whether to require staff and visitors to wear masks," he said.

Previously, a neighboring Macau special administrative area had announced plans to lift mask requirements related to COVID 19 for most locations, except for public transportation, hospitals, and several other areas.

While in mainland China, residents are not required to wear masks outdoors, although authorities advise them to do so in indoor public places such as airports and train stations.

Hong Kong's move to remove masks came after its government this month launched a promotional campaign called "Halo Hong Kong", to restore tourists and businesses away from the former British colony since 2020.

Hong Kong is known to enforce mask usage rules, even in schools where 2-year-old children are required to wear them outside their homes. Many students and teachers are concerned about the impact on children's learning and development.

Students are still required to do a rapid antigen test every day to check for COVID, although authorities announced last week that this would be lifted from March 1 for high school and elementary school students, as well as kindergarten starting March 15.