HONG KONG is dropping almost all its COVID restrictions this week, following a similar move by mainland China.
From Thursday, people arriving in the city – a special administrative region of China – will no longer have to do mandatory PCR tests.
The vaccine pass system will also be scrapped – but compulsory masks in public places will continue.
It is a dramatic move by the city, which once had some of the toughest restrictions in the world.
Also being scrapped from Thursday is the rule that limits the number of people allowed to gather outside to 12.
This was increased from four people in October as part of measures to begin reopening the city.
Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, cited high vaccine rates as one of the reasons for lifting restrictions.
According to government figures, 93% of the population have had two vaccine doses, while more than 83% have received three.
But only 64% of people over 80 – the most vulnerable age group – have had three doses.
Unlike mainland China, which has developed its own vaccines, Hong Kong has also used mRNA vaccines – including the BioNTech jab made in Germany – that have been shown to be more effective. (BBC)
