Hong Kong lifted one of the world's longest-standing mask mandates on Wednesday after 959 days as the city tries to rebuild its reputation as an international financial hub and renew tourism.
Residents and tourists will no longer be required to wear face masks in indoor and outdoor areas in Hong Kong for the first time in nearly three years. However, some mask requirements will remain in place at hospitals, nursing homes, and other high-risk facilities.
GOP SHIES AWAY FROM SWEEPING HEALTH OVERHAULS IN POST-OBAMACARE REPEAL ERA
"The COVID epidemic in Hong Kong is under control with no sign of a big rebound,” said John Lee, the city's chief executive, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The city first required face masks on public transportation in July 2020, a mandate that was expanded two weeks later to include indoor and outdoor areas, though many people started wearing face masks months earlier. Hong Kong was one of the last places in the world to maintain a mask mandate.
Last September, the city ended a strict mandatory COVID-19 hotel quarantine for international arrivals. Financial groups and residents had criticized the mask mandate, arguing that it stunted the city's standing as a financial powerhouse and destination for tourism.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Most cities and countries have lifted their mask mandates either fully or partially.
Hong Kong, however, was stuck between adhering to the strict pandemic restrictions in mainland China and surrendering to the demands of the financial community. At the end of last year, China’s National Health Commission announced it was relaxing its strict "zero COVID" policies that have been in place since the onset of the pandemic, leaving behind its mass testing campaigns and citywide lockdowns.