After almost 1000 days, mask mandate is lifted

After 945 days, Hong Kong has lifted laws mandating the wearing of masks in public.

Compulsory mask wearing was introduced in 2020 when the Covid pandemic began to hit, with HK$5,000 (almost $AU950) fines imposed for non-compliance.

“With the removal of the mandate, Hong Kong will return to normalcy,” the city state's chief executive John Lee-Ka chiu said.

Until the law was scrapped, everyone was required to wear masks in public areas, Travel Mole reported.

Following mainland China protocols, the Hong Kong mask mandate and other Covid rules were among the most stringent in the world.

The rule change comes as the badly-hit tourism industry bounces back.

The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, Lee said.

Local media outlets, however, reported that many Hong Kong residents are continuing to wear masks in public places.