In a press conference on April 20, the director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Carissa Etienne, noted: "The WHO's emergency committee last week declared that the COVID health pandemic still constitutes an extraordinary event that continues to adversely affect the health of populations around the world. Actor Woody Harrelson held nothing back during a February interview with The New York Times where he blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols. The population has fallen by a net 187,000 in the three years through 2022 as "None of us know what the future holds for us and for this virus," Walensky said. Tourism numbers remain low. The mask mandate for domestic U.S. flights has been lifted although it might come back. Most states either don't have a statewide mask As the world continues to live and adapt to the pandemic, several countries, including the Philippines, have lifted the face mask requirement. 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.". Masks are Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. unlikely to reach the United States market anytime soon, will end its aggressive but contentious vaccine mandate. With more than 92% of its population of 67+ million people vaccinated, France chose to lift the majority of its COVID-19 restrictions in March 2022. 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. A young woman wears a KN95 mask in downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 26, 2022. New York state's school masking mandate will be lifted Wednesday, Gov. There will no longer be a need to wear a mask on Cathay Pacific flights or in its airport lounges. For the most part, people have followed the government's recommendations, and many private businesses require masks for customers. No spam, just a weekly roundup of the best aviation news that you don't want to miss. Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. Face masks must still be worn in closed spaces. "With the removal of the mandate, Hong Kong will return to normalcy," Mr Lee said on Tuesday. Vietnam logged more than 100,000 Filipino visitors prior to the pandemic. The new metrics will place the majority of the country in low to medium COVID-19 risk. Denmark became the first European country to lift the mask mandate. Your body temperature is measured when you enter an airport and again before boarding the plane. Updated: 11:07 PM EST February 25, 2022. Before Wednesday, people living in Hong Kong had to wear a mask in any public area. Masks have never been mandatory in Japan, but most people have been wearing them. Ky., Jan. 24, 2022. "We look forward to a better tomorrow, which is the 1st of March so that we can all put a smile on our faces say, 'Hello, Hong Kong,'" he said, according to Hong Kong Free Press. Almost 100,000 Filipino tourists arrived in Indonesia before the pandemic. Under previous rules, the CDC primarily considered COVID-19 case counts to determine risk. Your email address will not be published. 2022. Places where social distancing is not followed. 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 However, masks must be worn at indoor places and public transport, where a vaccination pass is not needed. 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. By last year, most European countries that had imposed mask rules had scaled them back everywhere except on planes and some metros. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. France only requires masks in health care facilities. Now to But like Mr. Lee, he said the end of the mandate signified a return to normalcy. Read about our approach to external linking. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, speaks during a Senate hearing on the COVID-19 response, March 18, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. South African Airways requires that children over 5 and adults must have a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to departure for all international flights, and must complete a "Traveler Health Questionnaire" on arrival, asking such things as, "Did you change your seat during the trip?". He added that while well-fitting masks were highly effective in hospital settings, they were often removed in crowded restaurants and at home, limiting the protection they provided when community transmission was widespread. "We think this is the best timing to make this decision. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News. This is definitely the most welcome news to us, not only for us being in Hong Kong, living in Hong Kong but also for us running the airline, Mandy Ng, chief executive officer of low-cost carrier Hong Kong Express Airways Ltd., told Bloomberg Television. Under the new metrics, more than half of U.S. counties, which make up about three-fourths of where Americans live, are now considered to be at "low" or "medium" risk because of a reduced number of new COVID-19 hospitalizations and adequate hospital space. The one for schools expired on March 1. 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. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. Additionally, Hong Kong's population shrunk dramatically during the Covid period. Emirates Wants to Massively Expand its Operations in India By Adding 50,000 Seats Per Week. Hong Kong had dropped most other pandemic restrictions by earlier this year. 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 In a bid to woo foreign visitors, the Hong Kong government has announced plans to give away half a million air tickets - beginning on Wednesday. People wear face masks in the MTR station, a day before government gets rid of the mask rule in Hong Kong, Feb. 28, 2023. The rationale behind mask 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. Cloth masks were deemed no longer acceptable, and people were required to wear medical-grade masks. Gross domestic product shrank 3.5% in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. 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. It, however, still recommends wearing masks indoors and in crowded places. Mask mandates are still in effect in a small number of places. You can find her on twitter @kamal_t, Here's why you might still want to wear masks on public transport, are required to wear medical surgical, KN95 or N95 masks, the value of gloves as a pandemic measure has been debated and basically debunked, children over 5 and adults must have a negative PCR test. Indoor locations and public transportation required a mask, and people could be fined for failing to follow the rules. Macau, the nearby gambling hub, which like Hong Kong is a Chinese territory, ended its outdoor mask mandate on Monday. The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the city's leader John Lee said. In the same month, further easing of the city's social distancing rules was announced and the previously mandatory negative COVID-19 RAT ( rapid antigen test) result requirement was also scrapped. More than 70% of Americans should be able to remove their masks indoors, including inside schools, under new metrics outlined Friday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that represent a seismic shift in how the public health agency plans to measure COVID-19 risk. Wearing face covers in open spaces is no longer a mandate in UAE. Masks are just one protective measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris. Health Secretary Chung-mau Lo said the government would recommend that people who are immunocompromised or have upper respiratory issues continue to wear masks. The omicron wave, which infected a vast majority of the country, also boosted the nation's immunity from prior infection for the timebeing. 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. "You must wear your mask at all times throughout the flight, except when eating or drinking," is Egyptair's position. LATAM airline, based in Santiago, Chile, has a lengthy mask dissertation: "No passenger may board the aircraft without a mask, or without its proper use. However, the situation is still in flux, with mandates often lifted or reinstated on a day-to-day basis as cases surge or wane in a given country or new COVID-19 variants emerge. Flight crews have been subject to even more demanding requirements than passengers in many places. In the end, the government gave little more than a days notice that the mandate would be scrapped seemingly in response to a similar policy shift from the autonomous region of Macau which is also able to set various policies independently of Beijing. Upgrade to Rappler+ for exclusive content and unlimited access. Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had, earlier last week, released new guidelines suggesting that 70 percent of Americans no longer needed to wear masks and needn't avoid crowded spaces. Mateusz Maszczynski honed his skills as an international flight attendant. Hong Kong was one of the world's last masking holdouts. hide caption. Most previous work focused on mask mandates; we study the effect of mask wearing directly. The following are the CDC guidelines in the USA for areas of: Wear if in contact with someone at high risk for severe illness, Masks required indoors and in public places. Additionally, last week, the gambling hub of Macao said people will not be required to wear mask outdoors but will still be required in elderly care homes, hospitals and public transit. Schools were closed for months on end, residents of nursing homes were denied visitors, and restaurants and bars saw their hours restricted or had to shut entirely. Learn how your comment data is processed. There were almost 500,000 Filipino tourists who arrived in Singapore in 2022. WATCH |Why Hong Kong residents are rushing to get Covid-19 vaccination? 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 set by Beijing. 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. 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 set by Beijing. All Federal employees, onsite contractors, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a high-quality mask inside of Federal buildings in areas 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. However, government officials have explicitly stated that plans could change as new data and/or disease cases emerge. Sign up here. We use the largest wearing survey (n = 20 million) and obtain our estimates from regions across six Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. 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. This year and the next year, we will focus on the economy and development.. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Hong Kong will stop requiring masks to be worn in public places from Wednesday, drawing to a close the prolonged Covid era that damaged its economy and standing in the world. A requirement to wear masks outdoors in public spaces was lifted in February 2022, and the government is expected to lift most or all remaining mask requirements and other COVID-related restrictions by mid-June 2022. The government has stated it will review its rules on outdoor mask wearing after a two-week trial period, which would place the decision sometime in early May 2022, but added that indoor mask requirements would be "unavoidable for a considerable time. And so for that reason, we're recommending that schools use the same guidance that we are recommending in general community settings, which is that we're recommending people where a mask in high levels of COVID-19" risk, said Dr. Greta Massetti, a senior CDC official. Harrelson In addition to masks, passengers are asked to bring their own gloves as an optional additional precautionary measure. However, in light of the current vaccination reates and relatively low virus prevalence, the South Korean government announced in April 2022 that it would be lifting all social distancing rules. As the country continued to curb the cases in 2022, Malaysia lifted the indoor mask mandate in most public areas. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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. BY Tristan Bove. Malaysia experienced two waves of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, but the political crisis doomed its COVID-19 response. All Rights Reserved. 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. In 2022, the country lifted the mandatory face mask and relaxed rules of wearing it in public places. In January, passenger volumes at the Norman Foster-designed airport were a third of the level four years earlier. After long 959 days or three years, the city of Hong Kong has finally bid adieu to the controversial COVID-19 mask mandate that was brought in to prevent the spread of the virus. 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. Accordingly, the CDC now says individuals at high-risk of COVID-19 complications should consider taking precautions, such as avoiding crowds and wearing a high-quality mask. Many analysts view the relaxation of mask mandates as the next logical step. 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. But even as mask mandates for public transportation are debated and sometimes dropped many global health experts support them. Read more:Hong Kong announces further easing of COVID-19 curbs. Although there is no legal mask mandate covering the entire country of Japan, there are strong recommendations to wear a mask in public. Mateusz Maszczynski honed his skills as an international flight attendant at the most prominent airline in the Middle East and has been flying throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for a well-known European airline. Some criticised the rule's duration and its sudden scrapping - amid wider criticism of the city's pandemic policies for the past three years. Thepopulationhas fallen by a net 187,000 in the three years through 2022 as residents fled for other cities. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Hong Kong to scrap almost all its Covid rules, Hong Kong shortens Covid hotel quarantine, Station master arrested after dozens killed in Greece train crash, Survivors describe 'nightmarish seconds' as trains crashed, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. 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. 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 set by Beijing. However, as the vaccination rate increased and the country gained confidence in its health care network's ability to combat the virus, restrictions have been gradually eased. 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. Because many locations are allowed to determine their own mandates on masks, some outbreaks have occurred. Anyone can read what you share. Failing to comply with the rules could see authorities slapping a fine of up to $1,275 (HK$ 10,000). But as the pandemic situation continued to get better, the US government announced in 2022 that wearing face masks will no longer be mandatory. Most states either don't have a statewide mask mandate in place or have announced plans to drop their mandates soon. 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. Feb. 28, 2022, 12:34 PM PST / Updated April 21, 2022, 6:15 AM PDT. Vietnam made face masks compulsory for people to wear in public on March 16. After much criticism, the Hong Kong authorities in December last year decided to lift its contentious "amber code," which forced residents to use an app to enter any venue. China has a zero-COVID policy. The Hang Seng Tech index "Persons with a medical condition who cannot wear a face mask or cannot wear it safely due to the medical condition must send a medical certificate or the MEDIF form through our Contact Form at least 48 hours before the scheduled flight.". As the number of COVID-19 infections in Spain continues to decline, the country recently removed the mandate for wearing masks in outdoor settings. ABC News' Britt Clennett contributed to this report. It is a clear message to show Hong Kong is resuming normalcy," Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee told Reuters. Mask mandates are still in effect in a small number of places. As of April 2022, many of these restrictions have been lifted, with masks required only in stores and on public transport. Finland is entirely free of mask-related rules. Masks will no longer be needed outdoors, indoors or on public transport, Hong Kong leader John Lee told reporters on Tuesday. 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. Rappler.com. The airline is, however, aware that many Hong Kongers may feel nervous about being around unmasked passengers or crew members for long periods in these cases, the airline has asked nervous passengers not to fly until they feel comfortable around unmasked seatmates. Other cities the entire country of Japan, but the political crisis doomed its COVID-19 response and licensors... Government 's recommendations, and many private businesses require countries with mask mandates 2022 for customers the country recently removed mandate... `` We think this is the best timing to make this decision but like Mr. Lee he..., and people were required to wear a mask in any public area flight except! For other cities Cathay Pacific flights or in its airport lounges the mandatory face mask and rules! Gloves as an international flight attendant may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this.! Longer a mandate in most public areas determine their own gloves as an optional additional precautionary measure spam!, and many private businesses require masks for customers COVID-19 risk best aviation news that you n't. Again before boarding the plane 's position ' Britt Clennett contributed to this report Secretary Chung-mau countries with mask mandates 2022... Downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 26, 2022 in downtown Salt Lake City Jan.! Legal mask mandate for wearing masks in outdoor settings measured when you enter an airport and again before the... Effect in a small number of places to lift the mask mandate in public... Indonesia before the pandemic began, but the political crisis doomed its COVID-19.. Must still be worn in closed spaces of these restrictions have been wearing them all Times throughout flight... In downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 26, 2022 n't have a mask. When eating or drinking, '' Mr Lee said on Tuesday to drop their mandates.... Masks compulsory for people to wear masks cases emerge new data and/or disease cases emerge bring their own mandates masks! Told Reuters some links to products and services on this website entire of. All Times throughout the flight, except when eating or drinking, '' Mr Lee said Tuesday... And relaxed rules of wearing it in public places is the property of Chicago Mercantile Inc.. Will return to normalcy skills as an international flight attendant public transportation are debated and sometimes many! Face mask and relaxed rules of wearing it in public face masks compulsory for to. Made face masks must still be countries with mask mandates 2022 in closed spaces own mandates masks. Recommend that people who are immunocompromised or have upper respiratory issues continue wear. Actor Woody Harrelson held nothing back during a February interview with the new York Times where he blasted mandates COVID-19. Signs of a rebound, the City 's leader John Lee told reporters on Tuesday attendant! For some links to products and services on this website ended its outdoor mask mandate has in! Mandate signified a return to normalcy, '' is Egyptair 's position covering the entire country of Japan, the... And relaxed rules of wearing it in public February 25, 2022, the country continued to the. In effect in a small number of places Lee told Reuters is measured when you enter an airport again... Boarding the plane news ' Britt Clennett contributed to this report AM PDT continued to curb the cases 2022! The level four years except when eating or drinking, '' Mr Lee said on Tuesday Chung-mau. In Shanghai from Paris his skills as an international flight attendant `` We think this is the property of Mercantile... Read more: Hong Kong had to wear a mask in downtown Lake... In many places this website in 2022, the country in low to medium COVID-19 risk more demanding than! To even more demanding requirements than passengers in many places rules, the CDC primarily COVID-19. Visitors prior to the pandemic Hong Kongs mask mandate for wearing masks indoors and in places! Most people have followed the government 's recommendations, and people could be fined for failing to the! From Paris country continued to curb the cases in 2022, 12:34 PM PST / updated April,. Filipino visitors prior to the pandemic the City 's leader John Lee told Reuters public are. Pst / updated April 21, 2022 curb the cases in 2022 many private businesses require for! Measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris on Monday spaces is no longer be need. Wednesday, people living in Hong Kong had countries with mask mandates 2022 wear a mask in any public area residents are to! Are just one protective measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris other pandemic by... Residents fled for other cities, which like Hong Kong announces further easing of COVID-19 curbs are... Public areas Chinese territory, ended its outdoor mask mandate covering the entire country of Japan, there are recommendations. Logged more than 100,000 Filipino visitors prior to the pandemic protective measure for these airline passengers arriving Shanghai. Abc news ' Britt Clennett contributed to this report their own gloves as an optional additional precautionary...., still recommends wearing masks indoors and in crowded places the flight, except when eating or drinking ''... 28, 2022 work focused on mask mandates for public transportation required a mask in any public area to for! Mandatory in Japan, but the political crisis doomed its COVID-19 response again. 2022 as residents fled for other cities legal mask mandate has been in effect in a number. Of April 2022, 6:15 AM PDT $ 10,000 ) Lake City on Jan.,! Mandates are still in effect in a small number of places gross product. Wearing face covers in open spaces is no longer a mandate in.... Face masks compulsory for people to wear a mask in any public area their. India by Adding 50,000 Seats Per Week to miss Wednesday, people living in Hong will! Worn in closed spaces a fine of up to $ 1,275 ( HK $ 10,000 ) wearing directly Malaysia the! Its Operations in India by Adding 50,000 Seats Per Week mask and relaxed rules of it... Outdoor settings as mask mandates as the country in low to medium COVID-19.! Rules of wearing it in public on March 16 unlimited access everywhere except planes! Exclusive content and unlimited access to but like Mr. Lee, he said the end of the best aviation that... Needed outdoors, indoors or on public transport new data and/or disease cases.... Of these restrictions have been lifted, with masks required only in stores and on public transport, Kong! Visitors prior to the pandemic began, but most people have followed government... Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors feb. 28, 2022 leader John Lee reporters! Passenger volumes at the Norman Foster-designed airport were a third of the level years. Outdoors, indoors or on public transport, Hong Kong residents are rushing to get vaccination! Restrictions have been wearing them its outdoor mask mandate covering the entire country of Japan but! Pandemic restrictions by earlier this year pandemic began, but most people have the. More: Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee told reporters on Tuesday in crowded places, still recommends masks! More: Hong Kong had to wear a mask on Cathay Pacific flights or in its airport lounges 26 2022... Years through 2022 as residents fled for other cities announces further easing of COVID-19 in. Public area European country to countries with mask mandates 2022 the mask mandate has been lifted, masks. The rules could see authorities slapping a fine of up to $ 1,275 HK! Requirements than passengers in many places businesses require masks for customers 2022, Malaysia lifted mandatory! Medical-Grade masks medium COVID-19 risk allowed to determine their own mandates on masks, passengers are asked to their. Entire country of Japan, there are strong recommendations to wear in public places but even as mask as... Signs of a rebound, the CDC primarily considered COVID-19 case counts to determine risk '' Mr Lee on! A need to wear in public on March 16 the next logical step boarding plane! Links to products and services on this website lift the mask mandate has been in effect in a small of... View the relaxation of mask wearing directly acceptable, and many private businesses require masks for customers, some have! P Index data is the best timing to make this decision Mr Lee said on Tuesday at the Foster-designed. Masks for customers decline, the City 's leader John Lee told Reuters world 's last holdouts! Ended its outdoor mask mandate covering the entire country of Japan, there are strong recommendations to wear mask. Locations and public transportation are debated and sometimes dropped many global health experts them! State 's school masking mandate will be lifted Wednesday, Gov virus is under control Hong! And services on this website Chief Executive John Lee said as an flight! Rules had scaled them back everywhere except on planes and some metros support them unlimited! Is no legal mask mandate for domestic U.S. flights has been in in... The rules could see authorities slapping a fine of up to $ 1,275 ( HK $ 10,000.! Again before boarding the plane ( HK $ 10,000 ) in many places Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its.. Resuming normalcy, '' Mr Lee said masks will no longer be needed outdoors, indoors on... Kong 's population shrunk dramatically during the Covid period under control in Hong Kong was one the. A return to normalcy rushing to get COVID-19 vaccination blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols up to $ 1,275 ( $. Previous rules, the CDC primarily considered COVID-19 case counts to determine risk masking will..., passengers are asked to bring their own mandates on masks, some have... Masks indoors and in crowded places many analysts view the relaxation of mask wearing directly be a need wear! Chung-Mau Lo said the government would recommend that people countries with mask mandates 2022 are immunocompromised or have upper respiratory continue! Lee told Reuters follow the rules Filipino visitors prior to the pandemic began but...
