Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 1) — The use of face masks indoors or outdoors is no longer required in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong officially lifted its mask mandate on Wednesday, saying this is part of the city government’s bid to \”return to normalcy\” three years into the COVID-19 pandemic.
\”Hong Kong has already built up a strong immunity barrier, coupled with the enhancement of prevention and treatment capacities of the healthcare system and the handling capacity of society as a whole. The risk posed by COVID-19 to local public health has apparently altered,\” the Hong Kong government said in a press release on Tuesday.
\”Citizens will no longer be required to wear masks mandatorily onboard a public transport carrier, or in a specified public place (including both indoor and outdoor areas), as well as in premises regulated under the Prevention and Control of Disease,\” it added.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) said the lifting of the mask mandate shows a clear message for everybody and to anyone in the world that Hong Kong has fully reopened.
\”We are also sending a clear message to our Filipino friends that Hong Kong now welcomes everybody with open arms,\” HKTEO Deputy Director Daniel Chan said.
Chan added that there are different tourism promotional activities that Filipinos can be part of.
These include the \”World of Winners\” campaign of the Airport Hong Kong Authority to attract 500,000 visitors this year.
