Hong Kong has been picking up the pace on its road to recovery in the past few weeks, and now in a big move, the city is all set to remove the remaining mandate of compulsory masks as well. Other Hong Kong COVID guidelines have since been scrapped including compulsory isolation for positive cases and mandatory testing. While the government will be lifting this last mandate soon, it also believes that mask-wearing is still crucial in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Hong Kong COVID guidelines: SAR government to lift mask mandate
South China Morning Post reported that the removal of the controversial mask mandate (for wearing masks indoors and outside too) will likely be officially announced on February 28th and put into effect from March 1st. Till now, it remained the only curb from the city’s COVID-zero days. Chief Executive John Lee had earlier said that he would only consider lifting the mask mandate once the winter flu season has passed.
The move to remove the mask mandate will receive an overwhelmingly positive response from Hongkongers. The city had remained one of the few places in the world still enforcing a mandatory mask mandate. Neighbouring Macau is ditching its mask mandate in outdoor areas from February 27. Masks are only required when taking public transport or when visiting medical institutions. This will likely be the case for Hong Kong too.
The government gets rid of isolation requirements for COVID positive patients
The scrapping of isolation requirements comes following the city’s decision to downgrade COVID-19’s status to an endemic disease. Lee said in an address to lawmakers that they would lift the isolation order from January 30, following the Lunar New Year.
In addition, all quarantine facilities, designated COVID clinics, and the Hospital Authority’s teleconsultation would suspend their operations. Lee also reassured the city residents that the move would significantly improve and revive the city’s battered economy.
Lee mentioned that Hong Kong had a “very sound barrier of immunity”, and the city could treat COVID like any other upper respiratory disease. More than 93% of Hong Kong’s population has already received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 84% of residents have taken a booster shot.
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