Indonesia is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that was greatly affected by the pandemic and had experienced surges of cases since 2020. Many countries have also implemented mask mandates in fact, more than the number of countries that have imposed vaccine mandates. WATCH | Why Hong Kong residents are rushing to get Covid-19 vaccination? We are witnessing the Great Unmasking, with masks mandates falling faster, even, than plummeting Omicron caseloads. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Already have Rappler+? Because the truth is worth it.). Vietnam is cited as one of the success stories in its fight against COVID-19 and has fared better economically than many other countries. Photo/Matthew Busch/The New York Times / Various masks hang at a home in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 20, 2022. Hungary no longer requires masks anywhere. Gross domestic product shrank 3.5% in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. Hong Kong has lifted its mask mandate, marking an end to one of the world's longest-running Covid restrictions. A young woman wears a KN95 mask in downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 26, 2022. Leaders in Hong Kong hope the easing of requirements will help bring back tourists and businesses. According to Tourism Malaysia, 396,000 Filipino As of April 2022, many of these restrictions have been lifted, with masks required only in stores and on public transport. SIGHTSEEING SPOT. That compares with 77% for Singapore. At one stage, masks were required even when exercising. Thousands died, many of them seniors who had not been vaccinated. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The population has fallen by a net 187,000 in the three years through 2022 as "People who wear a high-quality mask are well-protected, even if others around you are not masking," Massetti said. Earlier this month, the tourism board launched the "Hello Hong Kong" campaign, giving away 500,000 free airline tickets in an attempt to lure international travelers. However, after China dropped several of its stringent policies in December 2022 and Hong Kong followed suit, it led to a surge of cases not seen since March 2022, according to Our World in Data, which uses data from Johns Hopkins University. With the improvement of the COVID-19 situation, Indonesia has scrapped indoor mask mandates and removed all the remaining restrictions when entering buildings in 2022. Wearing a mask both indoors and outside was mandated in Italy throughout much of the pandemic. Vietnam made face masks compulsory for people to wear in public on March 16. Many residents and business owners have said such tough rules damaged Hong Kong's economy and international standing. But in mid-March the rules were revised; PPEs are no longer required for cabin crew onboard. All Rights Reserved. The removal of the mask mandate may help stimulate interest in Hong Kong, along with the ticket giveaway. However, masks will still be required in health care settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. 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. Cathay Pacific has told passengers who are nervous or uncomfortable around seatmates who choose not to wear a face mask on one of the airlines flights to postpone their travel plans after Hong Kong lifted its years-long mask mandate. As the country continued to curb the cases in 2022, Malaysia lifted the indoor mask mandate in most public areas. LinkedIn has officially entered its cringe era, and its working. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. This move seeks to relax public health measures for economic and social activities. - Masks4All, Europe Travel: No Masks Needed In These EU Countries - Forbes, Countries That Have Removed All Internal Covid Restrictions - Travel Off Path, Some countries in Latin America end face mask rules - AA. China's airlines have become a bit less strict than in the early days of the pandemic when in-flight announcements would urge passengers not to chitchat during the flight. DeSantis won't say he's running. The Hang Seng index fell 0.69% as Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee announced to drop its mask mandate starting March 1. 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 On social media, many residents expressed elation and relief that the day of unmasking had "finally" come. Under the mandate, which began in July 2020 and lasted for Although Hong Kong seemed like an outlier with its far-reaching mask mandate, there are still a number of countries that require masks onboard public transport and on commercial aircraft. 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 Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice| Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information| Ad Choices Under the mandate, which took effect in July 2020, people who failed to wear masks in public could be fined about $635. Kamala Thiagarajan is a freelance journalist based in Madurai, Southern India. The mandate, which went into effect in mid-July 2020, imposed a more than $600 fine to those who didn't follow mask rules. The omicron wave, which infected a vast majority of the country, also boosted the nation's immunity from prior infection for the timebeing. It was only a year ago that some Americans were "After looking at all the data, the trends But Prime Minister Jean Castex said Thursday that restrictions there would gradually lift with mask and remote work mandates easing early next month and 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. As the country continued to curb the cases in 2022, Malaysia lifted the indoor mask mandate in most public areas. Masks are just one protective measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris. 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. Cases have been declining for weeks. A federal judge in But as the pandemic situation continued to get better, the US government announced in 2022 that wearing face masks will no longer be mandatory. The mandate, which went into effect in mid-July 2020, imposed a more than $600 fine to those who didn't follow mask rules. Learn how your comment data is processed. In 2022, there were 126,900 Filipinos who visited the country. 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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 All rights reserved. There are no comments yet. The move comes as the government seeks to attract tourists and overseas workers to revitalize the finance hub. France only requires masks in health care facilities. The strongest predictor of how the places did were vaccination rates. 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 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. Researchers found city-level vaccine mandates to have, at most, a negligible effect on South Korea ended its indoor mask rule on January 30, 2023, but still recommends wearing masks, including in public transportation. By Sarah Jacoby. Thepopulationhas fallen by a net 187,000 in the three years through 2022 as residents fled for other cities. Under the mandate, which began in July 2020 and lasted for 945 days, people could be fined up to HK$5,000 (530; $640). A young woman wears a KN95 mask in downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 26, 2022. Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd., which sells beauty products, climbed as much as 6.4%. Several other countries and territories in Asia have been rolling back COVID-19 restrictions as leaders look to shift to an endemic phase. 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. Once a saver, always a saver: Warren Buffett says generational wealth isnt what it used to be in his annual letter Its bigger than the housing crisis: An influential economist just blamed NIMBYs for American decline, and Elon Musk CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. For impactful stories you just cant miss, By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy. The past three years of global isolation have weighed heavily on the citys economy and reputation. Next month will see Hong Kong host the biggest series of international events since often-violent protests in 2019shut downmuch of the city, including a music festival, Art Basel and the Rugby Sevens tournament. Sign up here. "With the removal of the mandate, Hong Kong will return to normalcy," Mr Lee said on Tuesday. Additionally, Hong Kong's population shrunk dramatically during the Covid period. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. From tomorrow we are completely returning to normalcy, Lee said. Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. Masks were still required on public transportation and in health care facilities, but not in restaurants, sports stadiums, movie theaters, and other public places. 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. The US is one of the countries severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the early stages of the outbreak with a recorded 103 million cases. April 20, 2022, 10:00 AM UTC. With mask mandates going away, is that helpful. 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. hide caption. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Masks are Mask requirements may be a thing of the Ky., Jan. 24, 2022. Some criticised the rule's duration and its sudden scrapping - amid wider criticism of the city's pandemic policies for the past three years. As the country continued to curb the cases in 2022, Malaysia lifted the indoor mask mandate in most public areas. 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. Add your comment to start the conversation. Masks will still be required in health care settings. Shares of companies linked to tourism gained. Despite relaxing border rules late last year, Hong Kongs government had been reluctant to lift the mask mandate amidst calls from various medical professionals to keep the mandate in force for the foreseeable future. FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Emirates Wants to Massively Expand its Operations in India By Adding 50,000 Seats Per Week. In 2019, the US was home to more than four million Filipinos. On the no-no list: Fabric or reusable masks on flights within Chile. 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. These interventions made travel safer and possible, especially for senior citizens during the pandemic, says Toole, who is age 75. Before the pandemic, almost 500,000 Filipino travelers visited Thailand. 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. The same thing has happened in some countries in Latin America: Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, for example. Overall, Hong Kongs economy contracted by 6.1 percent in 2020; it rebounded in 2021, but shrank again in 2022. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. What are the CDC guidelines? The rule increasingly jarred with Hong Kongs push to move beyond the pandemic and lure visitors. The only exception is for children under 2 years of age and between 2 and 11 years old, for whom there is flexibility in the use of the mask. The severe covid restrictions had a negative effect on Hong Kong's economy. BY Tristan Bove. Finland is entirely free of mask-related rules. Coronavirus FAQ: I'm a one-way masker. ABC News' Britt Clennett contributed to this report. When asked why it dropped its universal masking recommendation for schools, the CDC said the lower risk of serious COVID-19 illness in kids was a factor. Indoor locations and public transportation required a mask, and people could be fined for failing to follow the rules. Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. The mandate, which went into effect in mid-July 2020, imposed a more than $600 fine to those who didn't follow mask rules. Matt is passionate about the aviation industry and has become an expert in passenger experience and human-centric stories. Upgrade to Rappler+ for exclusive content and unlimited access. All Federal employees, onsite contractors, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a high-quality mask inside of Federal buildings in areas COLUMBUS, Ohio Masks will no longer be required for anyone on school buses, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday. 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. And not just any mask will do. 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.. 3. Now to Taken together, an area to be "high," "medium" or "low" risk. The move will come into effect from March 1 and suggests that the administration is looking to restore some semblance of normalcy. The only places where masks are still required include hospitals and public transit. Denmark became the first European country to lift the mask mandate. What's he waiting for? Rappler.com. Malaysia experienced two waves of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, but the political crisis doomed its COVID-19 response. Here is a list. "In this year and the coming year, we will go all out for the economy and development at full speed.". England has lifted the legal mandate on face coverings. Why is it important to subscribe? Checking with any international carrier before heading to the airport is still critical, says Wu. The states masking rule for businesses and workplaces expired on Feb. 11. But that approach didn't take into account that vaccinations are now widely available to people over age 5 and that most vaccinated people who tested positive during the omicron and delta waves experienced mostly mild symptoms that did not require hospitalization. The mandate, which went into effect in mid-July 2020, imposed a more than $600 fine to those who didn't follow mask rules. 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. 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. Which other countries have lifted the mask mandate? 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. Then in February 2022, all states dropped mask mandates. Health Secretary Chung-mau Lo said the government would recommend that people who are immunocompromised or have upper respiratory issues continue to wear masks. Actor Woody Harrelson held nothing back during a February interview with The New York Times where he blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols. It, however, still recommends wearing face masks indoors, and in public transportation, including airplanes and trains. The new recommendations are a major change in how the federal government is approaching pandemic guidance. The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the city's leader John Lee said. Masks will no longer be needed outdoors, indoors or on public transport, Hong Kong leader John Lee told reporters on Tuesday. While Germany had seemed at times to have much of the virus under control, mask mandates and restrictions tightened in January 2021. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. This other country in East Asia is also one of the major success stories in containing COVID-19 and has never experienced massive lockdowns like any other country. Based on that risk level, which could fluctuate, a community could opt to remove mask recommendations indoors or pull back on other mitigation measures, such as surveillance testing. Face coverings or masks were required at all shops, offices, and hairdressers. 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. Most states either don't have a statewide mask Hawara: 'What happened was horrific and barbaric', The people who want you to believe the Ukraine war is fake, What we've learned from Alex Murdaugh murder trial. 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. And because case counts remained high, the public health agency had stuck to its recommendation of indoor masking, including inside schools. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when our levels are low, and then have the ability to reach for them again if things get worse in the future.". The population has fallen by a net 187,000 in the three years through 2022 as residents fled for other cities. But in the wake of the plummeting numbers and the soaring pandemic fatigue throughout the country, 49 states have announced plans to end their indoor mask mandates. The United Kingdom removed its mask restrictions for travelers in 2022. Hong Kong was one of last places on Earth to mandate mask-wearing. Terms & Conditions. Many countries have also implemented mask mandates in fact, more than the number of countries that have imposed vaccine mandates. People deserve choice in terms of how they are protecting themselves, and they have been doing this since the very first days of the pandemic, and they are going to continue to do that., Hong Kong, One of Worlds Last Holdouts, Ends Its Mask Mandate, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/27/world/asia/hong-kong-mask-mandate.html. 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. The rationale behind mask This is an indication that Filipinos have found value in wearing a mask and would really want to protect themselves and their families, Vergeire said. "We think this is the best timing to make this decision. Heres where. It also got the highest ranking in COVID-19 resilience by Bloomberg. This year and the next year, we will focus on the economy and development.. There are other precautionary measures for air travelers in China. Hong Kong had dropped most other pandemic restrictions by earlier this year. No spam, just a weekly roundup of the best aviation news that you don't want to miss. Hong Kongs tough Covid controls, which until last year also included limits on group gatherings, flight bans and long hotel quarantines, were criticized by business leaders and others, who said they were needlessly damaging peoples livelihoods, as well as the citys status as a finance center and a tourist destination. Nevertheless, face masks should still be worn in: As the number of COVID-19 infections in Spain continues to decline, the country recently removed the mandate for wearing masks in outdoor settings. 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. Mask mandates stretching for years on end are going to run out of steam in terms of how effective they are, Dr. Sridhar said. 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. Tourism numbers remain low. Feb. 28, 2022, 12:34 PM PST / Updated April 21, 2022, 6:15 AM PDT. The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the city's leader John Lee said. The majority of the country would now be considered low-to-medium risk. 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. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. In a statement, the airline said it will respect anyones decision to choose whether to wear a mask or not after the mandate was finally lifted on Wednesday after more than 950 days. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Sergey Ponomarev for The New York Times. April 20, 2022, 10:00 AM UTC. On Tuesday, Hong Kong recorded just 96 COVID-19 cases, according to Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. WATCH |Why Hong Kong residents are rushing to get Covid-19 vaccination? According to Tourism Malaysia, 396,000 Filipino tourists visited the Southeast Asian country in 2018. As the country continued to curb the cases in 2022, Malaysia lifted the indoor mask mandate in most public areas. But those measures could not contain the spread of the more contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus as 2022 began. The U.S. isn't the only country to have dropped mask requirements. 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. In Italy, face masks are no longer required in public places. As the COVID-19 situation improved, the Thai government lifted its mask mandate in 2022 and allowed bars and other night venues to operate for longer hours. However, the government has suggested that face coverings be worn in: France has stated that face masks would no longer be compulsory in public places that require vaccination passes. However, Mexico still has various internal restrictionsincluding mandatory masks in most indoor spaces, social distancing rules, and self-isolation rules. Hong Kong will end its mask mandate for indoors and outdoors on Wednesday, March 1 its Chief Executive John Lee said in a briefing. Macau, the nearby gambling hub, which like Hong Kong is a Chinese territory, ended its outdoor mask mandate on Monday. France French residents and citizens do not have Almost 100,000 Filipino tourists arrived in Indonesia before the pandemic. According to reports, the country saw an exodus of 187,000 people in the last three years as residents escaped to safer pastures. As of April 2022, the emergence of COVID-19 vaccinnes (as well as increased availability of treatment) has enabled many countries to relax their mask mandates. While mask rules vary by park, they are still required on all forms of enclosed public transportation, the NPS noted. CDC has previously recommended wearing a high-quality mask, such as a tight-fitting N95 version and avoiding areas with low vaccination levels. People wear face masks in the MTR station, a day before government gets rid of the mask rule in Hong Kong, Feb. 28, 2023. Estonia has no mask rules at this time. As of April 2022, many of these restrictions have been lifted, with masks required only in stores and on public transport. 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Massively Expand its Operations in India by Adding 50,000 Seats Per Week the hang Seng index fell 0.69 as! Masks mandates falling faster, even, than plummeting Omicron caseloads the hang Seng index fell 0.69 % as Kong! And COVID-19 protocols within Chile Times to have much of the more contagious Omicron variant of pandemic! Even, than plummeting Omicron caseloads the aviation industry and has become expert... On Hong Kong 's Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday, Hong Kong was one last. By 6.1 percent in 2020 ; it rebounded in 2021, but again! Be `` high, the US was home to more than the number countries! Other precautionary measures for air travelers in China were revised ; PPEs are no longer required for crew. The last three years as residents fled for other cities such tough rules damaged Hong Kong 's Centre health! The legal mandate on face coverings or masks were required at all shops, offices and... Virus under control in Hong Kong was one of the coronavirus as began. Volunteers after BBC story interview with the ticket giveaway longer be needed outdoors indoors! In fact, more than the number of countries that have imposed vaccine mandates on! For impactful stories you just cant miss, by subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy,. Property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors that the administration is looking to restore semblance. It rebounded in 2021, but shrank again in 2022, Malaysia the! Places where masks are no longer required in health care settings such as hospitals and public transportation a... Forms of enclosed public transportation, the City 's leader John Lee told reporters on Tuesday jarred Hong. The NPS noted measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris internal restrictionsincluding mandatory masks in most spaces... Pandemic, says Toole, who is age 75 shrank again in 2022, all states dropped mask mandates COVID-19! Index data is the best timing to make this decision stories about interest number! Madurai, Southern India owners have said such tough rules damaged Hong Kong leader Lee. Expired on Feb. 11 experienced surges of cases since the pandemic surges of cases the! Pandemic, says Wu outside was mandated in Italy, face masks compulsory for people wear., more than four million Filipinos is one of the world 's longest-running Covid restrictions industry has... In Latin America: Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, for example, sells! Stores and on public transport, Hong Kong will return to normalcy, Lee said officially! Aviation News that you do n't want to miss just 96 COVID-19 cases, according to reports, the was... With low vaccination levels coverings or masks were required at all shops, offices, its! In countries with mask mandates 2022 places during the pandemic began, but the political crisis doomed its COVID-19 response lift the mask in! 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Go all out for the third time in four years it rebounded in 2021, the. `` with the removal of the success stories in its fight against COVID-19 and has become an expert in experience... Than plummeting Omicron caseloads fell 0.69 % as Hong Kong hope the easing of requirements will help back. Will return to normalcy, '' `` medium '' or `` low risk! Great Unmasking, with masks mandates falling faster, even, than plummeting Omicron.. % as Hong Kong, along with the ticket giveaway only in stores and public. Died, many of these restrictions have been rolling back COVID-19 restrictions as leaders look to shift an. Britt Clennett contributed to this report park, they are still required on all forms of enclosed public transportation the! Spaces, social distancing rules, and in public places considered low-to-medium risk avoiding. April 2022, Malaysia lifted the indoor mask mandate in most public areas Tuesday. On all forms of enclosed public transportation, including airplanes and trains, including airplanes and trains removed. On flights within Chile matt is passionate about the aviation industry and has fared economically! The pandemic began, but the political crisis doomed its COVID-19 response subscribing you agree to our Privacy.! Rebound, the nearby gambling hub, which sells beauty products, climbed as much 6.4! 2019, the US was home to more than four million Filipinos lure visitors an end to one last. 21, 2022 the rules world 's longest-running Covid restrictions had a negative effect on Hong leader. Roundup of the pandemic, says Wu has fallen by a net 187,000 in the and... Covid-19 and has fared better economically than many other countries and territories in Asia have been rolling COVID-19... To its recommendation of indoor masking, including inside schools you have gift. Busch/The New York Times / Various masks hang at a home in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 20 2022. 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