Hong Kong lifts mask wearing requirement

The mask rule, however, will still apply to public hospitals.

Starting 1 March, wearing masks will no longer be required in Hong Kong, except for individuals entering public hospitals or healthcare facilities.

Chief Executive John Lee said the local epidemic situation in Hong Kong is already under control and the chance of rebound is slim, thus the government’s decision to remove the mask requirement.
 
“After looking at all the data, the trend and the fact that the winter surge (of influenza) is nearing the end, to give people a very clear message that Hong Kong is resuming normalcy, I think this is the right time to make the decision,” Lee said.

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“With the masking requirement removed, we are starting to resume normalcy comprehensively and that will be very beneficial to the economic development, our international competitiveness, as well as our activities which involve everyone in Hong Kong,” Lee added.

Whilst visitors of healthcare facilities and public hospitals still need to wear masks, they will no longer be required to undergo nucleic acid tests. Visitors will only need to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours before their visit.