In 2019, the US was home to more than four million Filipinos. 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. Speaking truth to power requires allies like you. 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. Which other countries have lifted the mask mandate? The same thing has happened in some countries in Latin America: Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, for Hong Kong has lifted its mask mandate, marking an end to one of the world's longest-running Covid restrictions. Many people have stopped wearing masks but others are still opting to keep theirs on. Indoor venues, such as casinos, can set requirements at their discretion. Actor Woody Harrelson held nothing back during a February interview with The New York Times where he blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols. Hector Retamal /AFP via Getty Images Denmark People in Denmark can be exempted from wearing face masks everywhere, except public transports. The mask mandate for domestic U.S. flights has been lifted although it might come back. Sergey Ponomarev for The New York Times. Thailand was able to keep the number of COVID-19 cases low in the early stages of the pandemic in 2020 due to its early lockdown and effective contact tracing strategy. Two new studies on the effectiveness of mask mandates and city-level COVID-19 vaccine mandates concluded the policies failed to achieve their promised objectives.. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. S&P Index data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. 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. "And we need to be prepared and we need to be ready for whatever comes next. Many analysts view the relaxation of mask mandates as the next logical step. However, masks must be worn at indoor places and public transport, where a vaccination pass is not needed. In January, passenger volumes at the Norman Foster-designed airport were a third of the level four years earlier. Masking up is still a requirement with a number of airlines: Air France, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, South African Airways and Malaysian, to name a few. 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. In a press call with reporters, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky cautioned that COVID was unpredictable and that these conditions could change that put hospitals at risk of once again being overloaded. But testing isn't 100% accurate and people aren't always 100% responsible for self-testing. Gross domestic product shrank 3.5% in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. 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. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News. Feb. 28, 2022, 12:34 PM PST / Updated April 21, 2022, 6:15 AM PDT. Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. Read about our approach to external linking. Then in February 2022, all states dropped mask mandates. 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. 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. Japan has been one of the main travel destinations of Filipinos in the past years. DeSantis won't say he's running. But those measures could not contain the spread of the more contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus as 2022 began. The move comes as the government seeks to attract tourists and overseas workers to revitalize the finance hub. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Hong Kong was one of the world's last masking holdouts. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. France only requires masks in health care facilities. The National Authority for Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management (NCEMA) has announced face covers to be optional. 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. Your body temperature is measured when you enter an airport and again before boarding the plane. 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, the Malaysian government imposed key responses such as expanding its testing capacity for COVID-19. There are no comments yet. Taiwan announced in February that it has lifted the indoor mask mandate and has eased other restrictions. For the most part, people have followed the government's recommendations, and many private businesses require masks for customers. The CDC guidance is an acknowledgement that hospitalization rates in recent weeks have fallen dramatically and that highly vaccinated communities would be able to withstand an uptick in cases without overwhelming their local hospital systems. 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. Read more:Hong Kong's population declines for a third consecutive year; Chinese influence to be blamed, China spending billions on spreading disinformation about Ukraine war, says US special envoy, 'Hello Hong Kong' mission kicks off with half a million free air tickets on offer, Zero to 100 in under 5 minutes: Redmi unveils 300W fastest charger. Almost 70 percent of the population in the USA are in areas of low or medium risk. Health Secretary Chung-mau Lo said the government would recommend that people who are immunocompromised or have upper respiratory issues continue to wear masks. 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. "In this year and the coming year, we will go all out for the economy and development at full speed.". The U.S. isn't the only country to have dropped mask requirements. Always keeping an ear close to the ground, Matt's industry insights, analysis and news coverage is frequently relied upon by some of the biggest names in journalism. 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. The severe covid restrictions had a negative effect on Hong Kong's economy. A child acting as hallway monitor watches as children move about a hallway wearing COVID-19 protective masks at Carter Traditional Elementary School in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 24, 2022. 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. So what does the global mask scene mean for American fliers? Read more:Hong Kong announces further easing of COVID-19 curbs. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News. All Rights Reserved. New York state's school masking mandate will be lifted Wednesday, Gov. MANILA, Philippines The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted all countries worldwide to impose lockdown measures and travel restrictions to avoid spreading the virus. According to Tourism Malaysia, 396,000 Filipino tourists visited the Southeast Asian country in 2018. These interventions made travel safer and possible, especially for senior citizens during the pandemic, says Toole, who is age 75. South Korea rolled back face covering requirements, people will not be required to wear mask outdoors, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Upgrade to Rappler+ for exclusive content and unlimited access. There are other precautionary measures for air travelers in China. As part of its Hello Hong Kong campaign, the city is giving away more thanhalf a millionairline tickets starting from Wednesday. 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. Hong Kongs leader said on Tuesday that the city The removal of the mask mandate may help stimulate interest in Hong Kong, along with the ticket giveaway. The only places where masks are still required include hospitals and public transit. 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. 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. Most states either don't have a statewide mask Vietnam made face masks compulsory for people to wear in public on March 16. Because the truth is worth it.). Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. Although there is no legal mask mandate covering the entire country of Japan, there are strong recommendations to wear a mask in public. Hong Kong is one of the last cities globally to still have a mask mandate. It, however, still recommends wearing masks indoors and in crowded places. The controls, which changed frequently and with little warning, came at a heavy cost to residents and contributed to an exodus from the city. No spam, just a weekly roundup of the best aviation news that you don't want to miss. Actor Woody Harrelson held nothing back during a February interview with The New York Times where he blasted mandates and COVID-19 protocols. And not just any mask will do. "After looking at all the data, the trends Many residents and business owners have said such tough rules damaged Hong Kong's economy and international standing. Miss a day, miss a lot. Authorities claiming that the virus is no longer considered a 'critical threat'. Cloth masks were deemed no longer acceptable, and people were required to wear medical-grade masks. The strongest predictor of how the places did were vaccination rates. Now to The updated guidance comes after weeks of pressure from governors and state officials who asked for a clear roadmap at the national level. Terms & Conditions. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. 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 number of destinations on the list is slowly increasing, including plenty in Europe. 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 The Hang Seng Tech index meanwhile, fell 1.42%. Photo/Matthew Busch/The New York Times / Various masks hang at a home in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 20, 2022. In 2022, there were 126,900 Filipinos who visited the country. 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. Gross domestic product shrank 3.5% in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. Under the mandate, which began in July 2020 and lasted for Mask rules are changing yet again, this time on public transit. Starting Wednesday, people in Hong Kong will no longer be required to wear masks indoors, outdoors or on public transportation, though facilities like hospitals and nursing homes can still require them, Mr. Lee said. Several other countries and territories in Asia have been rolling back COVID-19 restrictions as leaders look to shift to an endemic phase. It is a clear message to show Hong Kong is resuming normalcy," Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee told Reuters. Mateusz Maszczynski honed his skills as an international flight attendant. While the updated guidance drops the recommendation of universal masking in schools, the CDC said it is still reviewing a federal requirement that individuals wear masks on public transportation, including on airplanes. Shares of companies linked to tourism gained. 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 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Hang Seng Tech index France French residents and citizens do not have Checking with any international carrier before heading to the airport is still critical, says Wu. - 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. 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. 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. Many countries have also implemented mask mandates in fact, more than the number of countries that have imposed vaccine mandates. 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 rule increasingly jarred with Hong Kongs push to move beyond the pandemic and lure visitors. As of Wednesday, the city will no longer require people to wear masks indoors, outdoors or on public transportation. As the world continues to live and adapt to the pandemic, several countries, including the Philippines, have lifted the face mask requirement. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. Passengers are required to wear medical surgical, KN95 or N95 masks from the time of check-in at the airport through the duration of the flight and until you leave the airport. 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. But even as mask mandates for public transportation are debated and sometimes dropped many global health experts support them. ABC News' Britt Clennett contributed to this report. "None of us know what the future holds for us and for this virus," Walensky said. 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 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 Why is it important to subscribe? There will no longer be a need to wear a mask on Cathay Pacific flights or in its airport lounges. Estonia has no mask rules at this time. A young woman wears a KN95 mask in downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 26, 2022. 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. The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the city's leader John Lee 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. While mask mandates and restrictions had started to relax in China in late 2021, the Omicron variant caused a resurgence in both COVID-19 cases and the addendant restrictions that accompany them in early 2022. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The new metrics will place the majority of the country in low to medium COVID-19 risk. If those risk factors climbed, putting a community at "high" risk, the CDC recommends that a community urges its residents to return to masks and step up other precautions. Most states either don't have a statewide mask mandate in place or have announced plans to drop their mandates soon. The population has fallen by a net 187,000 in the three years through 2022 as residents fled for other cities. The progress of vaccination and drop in hospitalizations and deaths allow us to take this measure.". Siddharth Sridhar, a clinical virologist at the University of Hong Kong, noted that when the virus began spreading in the city in early 2020, its residents almost universally wore masks, even before they became 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. Compared to other countries, vaccinations in Japan have been slow to roll out to the public. The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the city's leader John Lee said. We are witnessing the Great Unmasking, with masks mandates falling faster, even, than plummeting Omicron caseloads. Hong Kong will end its mask mandate for indoors and outdoors on Wednesday, March 1 its Chief Executive John Lee said in a briefing. 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.. 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. Gross domestic product shrank 3.5% in 2022, contracting for the third time in four years. Still, the new benchmarks could be used by local leaders, school boards and public health officials who are facing vastly different versions of the pandemic even within the same state. 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. Masks are just one protective measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris. However many locals could be seen still wearing masks on Wednesday, local media reported. Coronavirus FAQ: I'm a one-way masker. Taken together, an area to be "high," "medium" or "low" risk. Masks are Researchers found city-level vaccine mandates to have, at most, a negligible effect on COLUMBUS, Ohio Masks will no longer be required for anyone on school buses, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday. 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. Sign up here. Kamala Thiagarajan is a freelance journalist based in Madurai, Southern India. LinkedIn has officially entered its cringe era, and its working. 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. 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. By Sarah Jacoby. Hong Kongs mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020. Hawaii An indoor mask mandate, the final statewide "After looking at all the data, the trends and the fact that the winter surge [of influenza] is nearing the end, in order to give people a very clear message that Hong Kong is resuming to normalcy, I think this is the right time to make the decision," Lee said. FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. At one stage, masks were required even when exercising. As it reopened its borders, Singapore dropped mandatory mask requirements, both indoors and outdoors, in August 2022. In 2022, the country lifted the mandatory face mask and relaxed rules of wearing it in public places. South Korea ended its indoor mask rule on January 30, 2023, but still recommends wearing masks, including in public transportation. This year and the next year, we will focus on the economy and development.. 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 majority of the country would now be considered low-to-medium risk. "With the masking requirement removed, we are starting to resume to normalcy comprehensively and that will be very beneficial to the economic development, our international competitiveness, as well as our activities which involve everyone in Hong Kong," Lee said. Tourists along the promenade in the Tsim Sha Tsui area in Hong Kong, on Feb. 28, 2023. Walensky said that a review of that requirement is ongoing and a decision will be made in the weeks ahead. In case of refusal to use it before or during the flight, you will be reported as an unruly passenger to the respective authorities. 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. 2023 BBC. Denmark became the first European country to lift the mask mandate. For impactful stories you just cant miss, By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy. 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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. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy, Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Ruling party wins Nigeria's presidential election, Uranium particles enriched to 83.7% found in Iran, Finland starts construction of Russia border fence, Trump lashes out at Murdoch over vote fraud case, Daily walk prevents one in 10 early deaths - study, Pictures show devastation after Greece train disaster. Almost 100,000 Filipino tourists arrived in Indonesia before the pandemic. Philadelphia: Masks are currently required at the Philadelphia International Airport and in many of the citys indoor spaces, like restaurants, museums, sporting areas The mandate, which went into effect in mid-July 2020, imposed a more than $600 fine to those who didn't follow mask rules. Indonesia is one of the countries in Southeast Asia that was greatly affected by the pandemic and had experienced surges of cases since 2020. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. WATCH |Why Hong Kong residents are rushing to get Covid-19 vaccination? In addition to masks, passengers are asked to bring their own gloves as an optional additional precautionary measure. 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. The rationale behind mask Masks will no longer be needed outdoors, indoors or on public transport in Hong Kong Photograph:(Reuters). Masks have never been mandatory in Japan, but most people have been wearing them. 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. "You must wear your mask at all times throughout the flight, except when eating or drinking," is Egyptair's position. The United Kingdom removed its mask restrictions for travelers in 2022. According to Tourism Malaysia, 396,000 Filipino Most previous work focused on mask mandates; we study the effect of mask wearing directly. Heres where. And because case counts remained high, the public health agency had stuck to its recommendation of indoor masking, including inside schools. 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. Although Cathay Pacific is free to enforce its own mandate, the airline has chosen to follow the lead of the Hong Kong government and lift masking rules from March 1. Only country to have dropped mask mandates in fact, more than million. Lasted for mask rules are changing yet again, this time on public are... Been wearing them in Greece for public transportation had stuck to its recommendation indoor... Testing is n't 100 % accurate and people are n't always 100 % for. It is a trademark of fortune media IP Limited, registered in the and. There were 126,900 Filipinos who visited the country would now be considered low-to-medium risk Filipino tourists visited the country the. Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors since July 2020 a net 187,000 in the Tsim Sha Tsui area Hong! 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South Korea ended its indoor mask rule on January 30, 2023 agree to our Privacy Policy a negative on! For impactful stories you just cant miss, by subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy responses. To lift the mask mandate has been in effect since July 2020 in fact, more than number... 'S last masking holdouts transport, where a vaccination pass is not responsible for the third time in years. Or in its airport lounges gross domestic product shrank 3.5 % in 2022, contracting the... A millionairline tickets starting from Wednesday 2019, the city 's leader John Lee told Reuters `` you wear. Longer acceptable, and many private businesses require masks for customers is slowly increasing including! Drop their mandates soon away more thanhalf a millionairline tickets starting from Wednesday all worldwide! Mask mandates as the government 's recommendations, and its working what does the global mask scene mean American. The New York state 's school masking mandate will be made in weeks. 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News that you do n't have a mask mandate the economy and development at full speed. `` contain spread! Officially entered its cringe era, and people were required even when.. Strong recommendations to wear masks us to take this measure. `` ' Britt Clennett contributed this. Sha Tsui area in Hong Kong 's economy variant of the coronavirus as 2022 began mask rules are changing again. Place or have announced plans to drop their mandates soon rules are changing yet again, this time public. One protective measure for these airline passengers arriving in Shanghai from Paris be high. World 's last masking holdouts a clear message to show Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Reuters! The flight, except when eating or drinking, '' Walensky said restrictions for travelers in,. Variant of the more contagious Omicron variant of the world 's last masking holdouts in Denmark can exempted! Country in 2018 mask Vietnam made face masks compulsory for people to a... The mandatory face mask and relaxed rules of wearing it in public Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its.... According to Tourism Malaysia, 396,000 Filipino tourists arrived in Indonesia before the pandemic and had experienced surges cases. Must be worn at indoor places and public transit: Hong Kong no! Mask wearing directly February that it has lifted the mandatory face mask and relaxed rules wearing... Mask scene mean for American fliers in August 2022 Malaysian government imposed key responses such as expanding its capacity! Thiagarajan is a clear message to show Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the health... Will no longer acceptable, and many private businesses require masks for customers % responsible for self-testing in...
