Following Macau’s announcement on Sunday that the wearing of masks in indoor and outdoor settings is no longer required, Hong Kong has issued a similar order with its mask mandate lifted as of Wednesday.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said that the wearing of masks indoors, outdoors and on public transport will now be optional, although it will remain a requirement in hospitals, homes for the elderly and other high-risk places.
“According to the data, the epidemic is under control in Hong Kong and there are no major signs of a resurgence, so I believe Hong Kong has established an extensive and comprehensive barrier,” Lee said.
“The situation of virus mutation has not deteriorated and the peak season of influenza and respiratory infections in winter is coming to an end, so it is the right time to lift the mask order.”
It is now three years since Hong Kong first implemented a mask mandate requiring anyone in public places, both indoors and outdoors, to wear a mask.
The decision to finally remove the mandate comes just days after Macau issued a similar order with masks no longer required outdoors and the operators of indoor settings allowed to determine their own mask policies.
As reported by IAG, Macau’s six casino concessionaires were allowing customers to enter the city’s casino floors without masks as of Monday.
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