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Elizabeth Cheung

Hong Kong’s mask mandate, recently extended to March 8 and in place since July 2020, could be lifted after the flu season, according to senior officials.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po on Friday further raised hopes by indicating that the unpopular rule could be dropped by the “end of the season”, following similar remarks by the city’s leader earlier.
The Post learned Chan was referring to the end of March.

Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where masks are required in most public areas.
Here are how other jurisdictions and countries are handling mask measures:
No more masks by April? Hong Kong finance chief’s ‘end of season’ comment
Mainland China
There is no more official mask rule on the mainland, although officials do release advice and guidelines from time to time. Under the latest measures, people are urged to wear masks in public indoor areas such as hospitals, malls, supermarkets, airports, railway stations and lifts.
A mask is also needed at care homes for the elderly and disabled, or when a person has respiratory symptoms such as fever or cough, as well as if he or she has been in close contact with Covid-19 patients.
People working in healthcare facilities, public transport, shopping malls, restaurants, delivery and cleaning also need to mask up.
Macau
People are still required to wear a mask in public areas. Companies can decide on their own mask policies.

Taiwan
No masks are required in outdoor public areas. Masks are needed only on specific public indoor premises, such as healthcare facilities, care homes for the elderly and disabled, as well as on public transport.
Hong Kong’s extended mask rule: good against flu, but what about children’s growth?
Japan
Masks are required in crowded indoor areas such as public transport, or when talking closely with others. A mask is also required when meeting the elderly or visiting hospitals.
But the Japanese government has announced that from March 13, people can make their own choices about wearing masks both indoors and outdoors.

South Korea
South Korea dropped its mask mandate for most indoor areas from January 30, but facial coverings are still required on premises such as care homes, hospitals and public transport.
Singapore
Mask-wearing is not required in most public areas, although the government still encourages the public, especially the elderly and the immunocompromised, to wear facial coverings in crowded places, when feeling unwell outside with Covid-19 symptoms, or when interacting with vulnerable people.
Those at healthcare and residential care facilities still require masks. This also applies to food handlers to ensure hygiene.
Australia
There is no universal mask rule in Australia, but recommendations vary across states. In Queensland, people are recommended to wear a mask for seven days if they test positive for Covid-19 or if they are required to by a healthcare provider.
In New South Wales, a mask is strongly recommended in indoor public spaces. Mask-wearing is also compulsory in hospitals in South Australia, and recommended for those with Covid-19 or who are close contacts of patients, as well as for people visiting indoor public places or using public transport.
Hong Kong pharmacies ready to slash mask prices ahead of possible mandate lifting
New Zealand
A mask is required in healthcare facilities such as clinics, hospitals and residential care homes. The general public is also recommended to wear a mask in closed, crowded and confined spaces.
People who are close contacts of Covid-19 patients, or susceptible to serious conditions if they are infected with the coronavirus, are also encouraged to mask up.
Britain
There is no mask legislation, but members of the public are recommended to wear the facial coverings in crowded or enclosed areas such as on public transport.
Providers of social services can also decide whether masks are needed for staff and people receiving care.


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Hong Kong is still masking up. Here’s a look at how other countries and cities have handled the unpopular Covid rule

Tourists in Singapore enjoy a day out without masks. Photo: Xinhua

Pedestrians in Hong Kong’s Central. Photo: Sam Tsang

Macau’s Ruins of St Paul’s. The casino hub is one of the few cities in the world, together with Hong Kong, to require masks in public spaces. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Tourists in traditional kimono clothes pose for a photograph in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong pharmacies prepare to slash mask prices ahead of possible end to mandate, buyers reduce purchases in anticipation

A shopper in Causeway Bay walks past a store selling masks. Photo: Sam Tsang

A shop in Causeway Bay selling masks last year. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong may scrap its mask mandate as early as next month. Photo: Sam Tsang

Time for Hong Kong to give people a choice on masks

People wearing masks walk through a tunnel of orchids at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central on January 28.  Photo: Dickson Lee

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Coronavirus

Asia

Officials have raised hope that mandate, one of few remaining pandemic rules in place, can be dropped in March or April
Western countries such as Australia and Britain, as well as Asian rival Singapore, do not require facial coverings in public places


Face coverings are no longer needed in general in mainland China, although people are encouraged to adopt them in indoor public areas.
