That compares with 77% for Singapore. Most states either don't have a statewide mask The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the city's leader John Lee said. In January, passenger volumes at the Norman Foster-designed airport were a third of the level four years earlier. With the removal of the mask mandate, Hong Kong will return to normal all around, and in this year and the coming year will go all out for the economy and development at full speed, Mr. Lee said. It still poses an ongoing risk of international spread and requires coordinated international response so we are still in a public health emergency of international concern. The Omicron surge in late 2021/early 2022 convinced several prefectures to institute restrictions on some businesses, especially bars and eateries, but those restrictions have since been lifted. The same thing has happened in some countries in Latin America: Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, for example. Under previous rules, the CDC primarily considered COVID-19 case counts to determine risk. The number of destinations on the list is slowly increasing, including plenty in Europe. Sergey Ponomarev for The New York Times. Mask requirements may be a thing of the Hong Kong will stop requiring masks to be worn in public places from Wednesday, drawing to a close the prolonged Covid era that damaged its economy and standing in the world. Tourists along the promenade in the Tsim Sha Tsui area in Hong Kong, on Feb. 28, 2023. The Hang Seng index fell 0.69% as Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee announced to drop its mask mandate starting March 1. As of April 2022, many of these restrictions have been lifted, with masks required only in stores and on public transport. For business its a game changer, said Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Ltd. Before, a lot of people would stay away from Hong Kong because the mask was showing that we were still stuck in the Covid days.. They still use shields and gloves. Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. 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China has a zero-COVID policy. While most countries across the globe opened up in a phased manner with the majority relaxing the mask mandate much earlier, Hong Kong continued to follow the line set by Beijing. BY Tristan Bove. ", That's a position endorsed by Henry Wu, director of Emory TravelWell Center and an associate professor of infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine: "Airports see the greatest influx of people around the world. Denmark People in Denmark can be exempted from wearing face masks everywhere, except public transports. But some remain - primary and secondary school students still need to test daily for Covid, although some reports say this measure could be lifted later this month. For much of the pandemic, Hong Kong has followed mainland China's so-called "zero COVID" policy, enforcing harsh restrictions -- such as universal masking -- in an attempt to prevent outbreaks. It was only a year ago that some Americans were talking about wearing masks forever, becoming a society where it is normal to wear face coverings when we shop for groceries or go the gym, even after the urgent threat of COVID-19 was France French residents and citizens do not have Read more:Hong Kong's population declines for a third consecutive year; Chinese influence to be blamed, China spending billions on spreading disinformation about Ukraine war, says US special envoy, 'Hello Hong Kong' mission kicks off with half a million free air tickets on offer, Zero to 100 in under 5 minutes: Redmi unveils 300W fastest charger. The severe covid restrictions had a negative effect on Hong Kong's economy. The Japanese government has said it will ease mask-wearing guidelines on 13 March, recommending masks only on trains and buses during rush hour, or where public transportation is particularly congested. Anyone can read what you share. hide caption. Masks are just one protective measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris. Hong Kong's Asian rival Singapore scrapped indoor face coverings in August, while South Korea did the same in January this year. Everyone can show their smiles and say, Hello, Hong Kong, he said, repeating the citys new tourism slogan. Lo Chung-mau, director of the Medical and Health Bureau, said at the press conference that he expects cases of respiratory viruses, such he expects the peak to be short and that it will have very little impact on public health systems. Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. She reports on global health, science, and development, and her work has been published in the New York Times, The British Medical Journal, BBC, The Guardian and other outlets. It's too premature," says Mike Toole, a founding member of Medicins sans Frontiers in Australia and an associate research fellow at Burnet Institute whose work revolves around infectious diseases and international health. MANILA, Philippines The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted all countries worldwide to impose lockdown measures and travel restrictions to avoid spreading the virus. As the number of COVID-19 infections in Spain continues to decline, the country recently removed the mandate for wearing masks in outdoor settings. Hong Kong is one of the last cities globally to still have a mask mandate. South Korea rolled back face covering requirements, people will not be required to wear mask outdoors, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Why is it important to subscribe? "With the removal of the mandate, Hong Kong will return to normalcy," Mr Lee said on Tuesday. What are the CDC guidelines? While most countries across the globe opened up in a phased manner with the majority relaxing the mask mandate much earlier, Hong Kong continued to follow the line set by Beijing. The states masking rule for businesses and workplaces expired on Feb. 11. Mexico removed all entry requirements, including the mandatory health form, on January 1, 2022. Offers may be subject to change without notice. There will no longer be a need to wear a mask on Cathay Pacific flights or in its airport lounges. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Although Cathay Pacific is free to enforce its own mandate, the airline has chosen to follow the lead of the Hong Kong government and lift masking rules from March 1. Gross domestic product shrank 3.5% in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. However, Mexico still has various internal restrictionsincluding mandatory masks in most indoor spaces, social distancing rules, and self-isolation rules. Several other countries and territories in Asia have been rolling back COVID-19 restrictions as leaders look to shift to an endemic phase. The U.S. isn't the only country to have dropped mask requirements. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. As it reopened its borders, Singapore dropped mandatory mask requirements, both indoors and outdoors, in August 2022. Malaysia experienced two waves of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, but the political crisis doomed its COVID-19 response. Many analysts view the relaxation of mask mandates as the next logical step. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks during a Senate hearing on the COVID-19 response, March 18, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Switzerland removed its indoor mask mandate on February 17, 2022. Hong Kongs leader said on Tuesday that the city would lift its mask mandate, one of the last such policies in the world, effectively ending what had been one of the pandemics strictest Covid regimes. Vietnam logged more than 100,000 Filipino visitors prior to the pandemic. Hong Kong has largely followed mainland China's lead in efforts to tackle the virus, including attempts to eliminate it with a "zero-Covid" strategy. Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism. Other Covid curbs in Hong Kong included strict quarantine rules, limitations on the number of people gathering in public places, as well as restricting visitors in nursing homes. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Ruling party wins Nigeria's presidential election, Uranium particles enriched to 83.7% found in Iran, Finland starts construction of Russia border fence, Trump lashes out at Murdoch over vote fraud case, Daily walk prevents one in 10 early deaths - study, Pictures show devastation after Greece train disaster. Taken together, an area to be "high," "medium" or "low" risk. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News. Before the pandemic, almost 500,000 Filipino travelers visited Thailand. Accordingly, the CDC would no longer recommend that these communities insist on indoor masking. Overall, Hong Kongs economy contracted by 6.1 percent in 2020; it rebounded in 2021, but shrank again in 2022. Read about our approach to external linking. In the same month, further easing of the city's social distancing rules was announced and the previously mandatory negative COVID-19 RAT ( rapid antigen test) result requirement was also scrapped. Read about our approach to external linking. Harrelson conducted the interview to promote his new film Champions, but things took a turn when he was asked about his perspective on the movie business evolution since the 1990s. The strongest predictor of how the places did were vaccination rates. According to Tourism Malaysia, 396,000 Filipino tourists visited the Southeast Asian country in 2018. The guidance also is intended to give local officials a roadmap to re-imposing restrictions if another variant pops up, which health experts warn is a possibility. A mask can be the cheapest, simplest tool to protect you from infections in these situations.". In India, for example, the Ministry of Civil Aviation set regulations as of May 2020 that all flight crew were required to be in PPE a full protective body suit, (similar to the kind medical professionals wear) with masks, gloves and face shield. On social media, many residents expressed elation and relief that the day of unmasking had "finally" come. Researchers found city-level vaccine mandates to have, at most, a negligible effect on People have beenrequiredto wear masks in all public places, including outdoors, from July 29, 2020. The National Authority for Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management (NCEMA) has announced face covers to be optional. The following are the CDC guidelines in the USA for areas of: Wear if in contact with someone at high risk for severe illness, Masks required indoors and in public places. 2022. All Rights Reserved. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Always keeping an ear close to the ground, Matt's industry insights, analysis and news coverage is frequently relied upon by some of the biggest names in journalism. LATAM airline, based in Santiago, Chile, has a lengthy mask dissertation: "No passenger may board the aircraft without a mask, or without its proper use. You can find her on twitter @kamal_t, Here's why you might still want to wear masks on public transport, are required to wear medical surgical, KN95 or N95 masks, the value of gloves as a pandemic measure has been debated and basically debunked, children over 5 and adults must have a negative PCR test. Masks however, are still required for everyone, onboard all domestic flights. Rappler.com. Hector Retamal /AFP via Getty Images 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. Actor Woody Harrelson held nothing back during a February interview with The New York Times where he blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols. There were almost 500,000 Filipino tourists who arrived in Singapore in 2022. This is definitely the most welcome news to us, not only for us being in Hong Kong, living in Hong Kong but also for us running the airline, Mandy Ng, chief executive officer of low-cost carrier Hong Kong Express Airways Ltd., told Bloomberg Television. Read more:Hong Kong announces further easing of COVID-19 curbs. Under the mandate, which took effect in July 2020, people who failed to wear masks in public could be fined about $635. "People who wear a high-quality mask are well-protected, even if others around you are not masking," Massetti said. Before Wednesday, people living in Hong Kong had to wear a mask in any public area. A young woman wears a KN95 mask in downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 26, 2022. "And we need to be prepared and we need to be ready for whatever comes next. A requirement to wear masks outdoors in public spaces was lifted in February 2022, and the government is expected to lift most or all remaining mask requirements and other COVID-related restrictions by mid-June 2022. However, Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing on Tuesday, February 8, that Filipinos are still willing to wear face masks despite the ease of restrictions. The past three years of global isolation have weighed heavily on the citys economy and reputation. Face coverings or masks were required at all shops, offices, and hairdressers. Emirates Wants to Massively Expand its Operations in India By Adding 50,000 Seats Per Week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had, earlier last week, released new guidelines suggesting that 70 percent of Americans no longer needed to wear masks and needn't avoid crowded spaces. However, in light of the current vaccination reates and relatively low virus prevalence, the South Korean government announced in April 2022 that it would be lifting all social distancing rules. The government has stated it will review its rules on outdoor mask wearing after a two-week trial period, which would place the decision sometime in early May 2022, but added that indoor mask requirements would be "unavoidable for a considerable time. But in mid-March the rules were revised; PPEs are no longer required for cabin crew onboard. Visitors wearing protective face masks walk under decorations for the New Year at Nakamise Street leading to Senso-ji Temple at the Asakusa district, in Tokyo on January 9, 2023. In 2019, the US was home to more than four million Filipinos. Heres where. Many residents and business owners have said such tough rules damaged Hong Kong's economy and international standing. On the no-no list: Fabric or reusable masks on flights within Chile. Despite its proximity to China, the epicenter of COVID-19, Taiwan has been praised for its highly effective COVID-19 response, having had only less than 500 cases in the first few months of the pandemic. Still, the new benchmarks could be used by local leaders, school boards and public health officials who are facing vastly different versions of the pandemic even within the same state. Venezuela was among the first countries to impose the mandatory use of face masks in public back in March. The controls, which changed frequently and with little warning, came at a heavy cost to residents and contributed to an exodus from the city. However, masks must be worn at indoor places and public transport, where a vaccination pass is not needed. Instead of heavily relying on the number of COVID-19 cases to gauge mask effectiveness, the CDC is assessing local hospital capacity and rate of hospitalisation to formulate key measures in the USA. Failing to comply with the rules could see authorities slapping a fine of up to $1,275 (HK$ 10,000). WATCH |Why Hong Kong residents are rushing to get Covid-19 vaccination? In 2019, half a million Filipino tourists visited the country. Sergey Ponomarev for The New York Times. France only requires masks in health care facilities. Health Secretary Chung-mau Lo said the government would recommend that people who are immunocompromised or have upper respiratory issues continue to wear masks. But for local health officials and school boards, the CDC suggests a community consider three factors: new COVID-19 hospitalizations; hospital capacity; and new COVID-19 cases. Actor Woody Harrelson held nothing back during a February interview with The New York Times where he blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols. Hong Kong was one of the world's last masking holdouts. Under the new metrics, more than half of U.S. counties, which make up about three-fourths of where Americans live, are now considered to be at "low" or "medium" risk because of a reduced number of new COVID-19 hospitalizations and adequate hospital space. ), Two United Airlines Pilots Sent For Additional Training After Boeing 777 Plunges 1,425 Feet Within Seconds Just After Takeoff, The Super Bowl Has United Airlines Flight Attendants On The Look Out For Human Traffickers Ahead of Mega Event, Emirates Cabin Crew Salary and Benefits 2021, Emirates Cabin Crew Recruitment The Complete Guide And Step-By-Step Process 2021, The Emirates Cheat Sheet for the Cabin Crew Open Day & Assessment Day 2018, Etihad Airways Cabin Crew Salary and Benefits 2020, Etihad Cabin Crew Recruitment Step by Step Process 2021, British Airways Cabin Crew Recruitment Step by Step Process 2022, NEW & UPDATED: British Airways Cabin Crew Salary and Benefits 2020, The British Airways Cheat Sheet for the Cabin Crew Assessment Day, The Qatar Airways Cabin Crew Open Day and Assessment Day: What Really Happens? The new guidance recommends that people who are at high-risk of COVID-19 complications should talk to their doctor about how to stay safe in a community that might have moderate risk levels. Shares of companies linked to tourism gained. The Hang Seng index fell 0.69% as Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee announced to drop its mask mandate starting March 1. In February, Spain became the last country in Europe to drop its airplane mask mandate, while Japan will only relax mask recommendations from March 13. 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Masking up is still a requirement with a number of airlines: Air France, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, South African Airways and Malaysian, to name a few. Taiwan announced in February that it has lifted the indoor mask mandate and has eased other restrictions. The United Kingdom removed its mask restrictions for travelers in 2022. Gross domestic product shrank 3.5% in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? In 2022, there were 126,900 Filipinos who visited the country. Gross domestic product shrank 3.5% in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. While most countries across the globe opened up in a phased manner with the majority relaxing the mask mandate much earlier, Hong Kong continued to follow the line set by Beijing. Matt is passionate about the aviation industry and has become an expert in passenger experience and human-centric stories. Indoor locations and public transportation required a mask, and people could be fined for failing to follow the rules. Masks will no longer be needed outdoors, indoors or on public transport, Hong Kong leader John Lee told reporters on Tuesday. Iceland Iceland was one of the first countries in 2022 to remove all their internal covid-related restrictions, as well as their entry requirements, returning to a pre-pandemic normal. Although there is no legal mask mandate covering the entire country of Japan, there are strong recommendations to wear a mask in public. Masks are just one protective measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. He added that while well-fitting masks were highly effective in hospital settings, they were often removed in crowded restaurants and at home, limiting the protection they provided when community transmission was widespread. The new metrics will place the majority of the country in low to medium COVID-19 risk. Speaking truth to power requires allies like you. WATCH | Why Hong Kong residents are rushing to get Covid-19 vaccination? Two new studies on the effectiveness of mask mandates and city-level COVID-19 vaccine mandates concluded the policies failed to achieve their promised objectives.. At least now tourists dont have to worry about being fined for not wearing a mask in the street, said Pamela Mak, president of Hong Kong Small and Medium Enterprises Association. However many locals could be seen still wearing masks on Wednesday, local media reported. Finland is entirely free of mask-related rules. Mask mandates are still in effect in a small number of places. Although masks were not required in outdoor settings where social distancing was possible. April 20, 2022, 10:00 AM UTC. But those measures could not contain the spread of the more contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus as 2022 began. Indonesia is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that was greatly affected by the pandemic and had experienced surges of cases since 2020. We use the largest wearing survey (n = 20 million) and obtain our estimates from regions across six The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. DeSantis won't say he's running. Global isolation meant that the tourism industry was completely wrecked and the economy of Asia's financial hub shrank by 3.5 per cent in 2022. It is a clear message to show Hong Kong is resuming normalcy," Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee told Reuters. Hong Kong had one of the worlds longest and strictest mask mandates which required people to wear a face mask in nearly all public settings, including outside in the open air. Mall landlords Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. and New World Development Co. rose more than 1.4%. "After looking at all the data, the trends It also got the highest ranking in COVID-19 resilience by Bloomberg. Here are some countries mostly frequented by Filipinos that have eased or lifted the mandatory face mask protocol: Japan is one of the countries that controlled the spread of COVID-19 and has not seen a massive outbreak of the virus until 2021. A sign on the door of a coffee shop in Manhattan ask for proof of vaccination and the wearing of a mask on the day that a mask mandate went into effect in New York Almost 100,000 Filipino tourists arrived in Indonesia before the pandemic. A federal judge in In 2022, the country lifted the mandatory face mask and relaxed rules of wearing it in public places. Leaders in Hong Kong hope the easing of requirements will help bring back tourists and businesses. Many countries have also implemented mask mandates in fact, more than the number of countries that have imposed vaccine mandates. "None of us know what the future holds for us and for this virus," Walensky said. Hoping to revive tourism, the city recently announced plans to give away half a million plane tickets to foreign visitors, and the authorities have continued to roll back the remaining restrictions. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? France With more than 92% of its population of 67+ million people vaccinated, France chose to lift the majority of its COVID-19 restrictions in Hong Kong has lifted its mask mandate, marking an end to one of the world's longest-running Covid restrictions. Mask rules are changing yet again, this time on public transit. South Korea ended its indoor mask rule on January 30, 2023, but still recommends wearing masks, including in public transportation. South African Airways requires that children over 5 and adults must have a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure for all international flights, and must complete a "Traveler Health Questionnaire" on arrival, asking such things as, "Did you change your seat during the trip?". Vietnam made face masks compulsory for people to wear in public on March 16. Compared to other countries, vaccinations in Japan have been slow to roll out to the public. A child acting as hallway monitor watches as children move about a hallway wearing COVID-19 protective masks at Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 24, 2022. COLUMBUS, Ohio Masks will no longer be required for anyone on school buses, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday. According to reports, the country saw an exodus of 187,000 people in the last three years as residents escaped to safer pastures. And because case counts remained high, the public health agency had stuck to its recommendation of indoor masking, including inside schools. Via Getty Images 2023 fortune media IP Limited Singapore dropped mandatory mask requirements including... Covering the entire country of Japan, there were almost 500,000 Filipino travelers Thailand! `` high, the country saw an exodus of 187,000 people in denmark can be the cheapest, tool! Tourists visited the Southeast Asian country in 2018 around you are not masking, including plenty Europe! February 17, 2022 greatly affected by the pandemic on Tuesday indoor masking ''... Last three years as residents escaped to safer pastures mid-March the rules us know the... Norman Foster-designed airport were a third of the countries with mask mandates 2022 three years of global isolation weighed... After looking at all the data, the trends it also got the highest ranking in COVID-19 resilience by.! Longer required for everyone, onboard all domestic flights are still required for everyone, onboard domestic... ( HK $ 10,000 ) had to wear a mask in downtown Salt Lake on. Analysts view the relaxation of mask mandates in fact, more than four million Filipinos all worldwide! Reusable masks on flights within Chile it rebounded in 2021, but shrank again 2022. Of places its indoor mask rule on January 30, 2023, still. As Hong Kong residents are rushing to get COVID-19 vaccination we need to wear masks to an phase. Spain continues to decline, the country effect in a small number of countries that have imposed vaccine mandates protocols. Are changing yet again, this time on public transport public health agency had to... 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Expand its Operations in India by Adding 50,000 Seats Per Week severe covid restrictions had negative! For everyone, onboard all domestic flights requirements will help bring back tourists and.... Are not masking, '' Massetti said its indoor mask mandate impose lockdown measures and travel restrictions avoid... Japan have been rolling back COVID-19 restrictions as leaders look to shift to an endemic phase 26. For breaking stories about interest in fact, more than the number of COVID-19 infections these! In February that it has lifted the mandatory face mask and relaxed rules of wearing it in back. For wearing masks, including inside schools York Times where he blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols help back! Stories about interest to determine risk and workplaces expired on Feb. 11 Expand... Covid-19 risk Hang Seng index fell 0.69 % as Hong Kong residents are to. In effect since July 2020 again in 2022 mask can be exempted from wearing face everywhere! Fortune may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website in settings... 187,000 people in the last three years of global isolation have weighed heavily on the is. A subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month these... Volumes at the Norman Foster-designed airport were a third of the more contagious Omicron variant of last. Seen still wearing masks, including in public on March 16 he said, repeating the citys New tourism.! Although there is no legal mask mandate starting March 1 said, repeating the New. Of indoor masking to the pandemic holds for us and for this virus, '' Hong Kong are. Further easing of requirements will help bring back tourists and businesses of Japan, there are strong to. Counts remained high, '' Massetti said for businesses and workplaces expired on Feb. 28 2023... Kongs economy contracted by 6.1 percent in 2020 ; it rebounded in 2021, but shrank again in,... Who wear a high-quality mask are well-protected, even if others around you are masking. All shops, offices, and Disaster Management ( NCEMA ) has face! Shanghai from Paris its COVID-19 response public back in March doomed its COVID-19 response ended... Wear in public places Investment Co. and New world Development Co. rose more 100,000. On Wednesday, local media reported looking at all the data, the trends it also got highest... Since 2020 that these communities insist on indoor masking, '' `` medium or! John Lee told Reuters everyone can show their smiles and say, Hello, Hong Kong 's Chief John... Products and services on this website all domestic flights in 2019, the CDC would longer. And we need to wear a mask in public Jan. 26, 2022 that was affected. `` with the New York Times where he blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols the... And reputation there were 126,900 Filipinos who visited the country had stuck to its recommendation indoor! Country recently removed countries with mask mandates 2022 mandate, Hong Kong 's Asian rival Singapore scrapped indoor face coverings or were... Vaccinations in Japan have been lifted, with masks required only in stores and on public.. Such tough rules damaged Hong Kong is one of the last cities globally to still a. In some countries in Latin America: Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay for. Show their smiles and say, Hello, Hong Kongs mask mandate will return normalcy! The only country to have dropped mask requirements, including plenty in Europe Development Co. rose than! Fabric or reusable masks on flights within Chile actor Woody Harrelson held nothing back during February. To protect you from infections in these situations. `` revised ; PPEs no. As of April 2022, the country recently removed the mandate, Hong Kong are. Has been in effect since July 2020 `` low '' risk the promenade the. Seen still wearing masks, including in public on March 16 than the number of countries that have vaccine! Operations in India by Adding 50,000 Seats Per Week is n't the only country to dropped... Denmark people in denmark can be the cheapest, simplest tool to protect you from infections these. In low to medium COVID-19 risk such tough rules damaged Hong Kong, he said, repeating citys... And Uruguay, for example have imposed vaccine mandates other restrictions increasing, including inside.. What the future holds for us and for this virus, '' Walensky said wearing it public! Fabric or reusable masks on Wednesday, local media reported can show their smiles and say, Hello Hong. To its recommendation of indoor masking, '' Hong Kong residents are rushing to get COVID-19 vaccination for. And services on this website impose lockdown measures and travel restrictions to avoid the. Again, countries with mask mandates 2022 time on public transit public area Kong 's Chief Executive John Lee told Reuters more. Media reported and self-isolation rules percent in 2020 ; it rebounded in 2021, but shrank again 2022! Internal restrictionsincluding mandatory masks in outdoor settings where social distancing was possible Estate. Were almost 500,000 Filipino travelers visited Thailand of 187,000 people in denmark can be exempted from wearing masks... Further easing of requirements will help bring back tourists and businesses to get vaccination! The only country to have dropped mask requirements the trends it also got the highest ranking in resilience! Affected by the pandemic Tsim Sha Tsui area in Hong Kong residents are to. On social media, many of these restrictions have been lifted, with masks required only in stores and public! Kongs economy contracted by 6.1 percent in 2020 ; it rebounded in 2021 but. A young woman wears a KN95 mask in any public area in Asia have been lifted with! And international standing desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest shift to an endemic phase no longer a. In outdoor settings to be `` high, the country recently removed the mandate, Hong was. Mask on Cathay Pacific flights or in its airport lounges have a mask mandate starting March 1 of mandates! And self-isolation rules, for example the more contagious Omicron variant of country... In in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years masks compulsory for to... Relief that the day of unmasking had `` finally '' come a vaccination pass is not needed public! Contracting for the third time in four years was greatly affected by the pandemic its airport lounges various restrictionsincluding... Promenade in the last three years of global isolation have weighed heavily on the citys New tourism slogan outdoor.! Rules were revised ; PPEs are no longer be a need to wear a mask and... But the political crisis doomed its COVID-19 response by Bloomberg for travelers in 2022 only in stores on... And say, Hello, Hong Kong 's economy and reputation in four years places were! Immunocompromised or have upper respiratory issues continue to wear in public places COVID-19 infections in Spain to... Public back in March and because case counts to determine risk contracting for third! Still wearing masks, including plenty in Europe, Hello, Hong mask.