Hong Kong eases covid-19 restrictions from april 21
Hong Kong is easing some of the world's strictest COVID-19 measures starting April 21, 2022, reopening beauty salons, cinemas, and gyms as daily infections drop below 2,000. Key changes include larger gathering limits and extended restaurant hours.
Starting April 21, 2022, Hong Kong will ease some of the world’s strictest COVID-19 restrictions, allowing the reopening of beauty salons, cinemas, and gyms as daily infections fall below 2,000.
"Cases have come down from a peak of more than 70,000 a day to over 1,000 today; if the government does not ease [the restrictions], I think it will have a big impact on Hong Kong’s society and economy," Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in a press conference.
The pandemic-related restrictions have crippled businesses, fueling a net exodus of around 70,000 people in February and March 2022, compared to nearly 17,000 in December 2021, raising concerns about the city’s status as a global financial hub. Since 2020, Hong Kong’s borders have remained effectively closed, with few flights allowed to land and virtually no passengers permitted to transit, isolating a city once renowned as a global transit hub.
The government announced Thursday that from April 21, gatherings of up to four people will be allowed at any time, up from the current limit of two, and restaurants can stay open until 10 p.m., extending operating hours from 6 p.m. In-person classes at schools are also set to resume next week. For now, bars, beaches, and barbecue sites will remain closed.
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