Hong Kong will stop requiring people infected with Covid to self-isolate as the government seeks to revive the economy.
The isolation order will be lifted from January 30, city leader John Lee said in a speech to lawmakers on Thursday.
That leaves just the mask mandate as the only major holdover from the city’s Covid Zero days. Hong Kong waived other restrictions in December after China abandoned its strict approach to controlling the virus. The city government plans to end the mandatory wearing of masks in March or April, Ming Pao reported, citing unidentified people.
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Lee said the city has a “very strong immunity barrier” and that Covid will be managed like any other upper respiratory illness.
“Our understanding of COVID-19 and how to deal with it has improved a lot,” Lee said. “As a result, the management approach of the government will have to change.”
The health office will hold a briefing later Thursday to give more details, he said.
Hong Kong is planning an aggressive publicity campaign to show its strengths to the world and hold a series of events, Lee said.
Natixis SA estimates that Hong Kong’s economy lost $27 billion in potential growth due to the effects of the pandemic and the city’s strict Covid restrictions.
