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Hong Kong announced on Tuesday a loosening of the restrictions imposed to combat the coronavirus, in particular the reopening of schools, cinemas and bars, decision based on the clear reduction of the circulation of the virus in the British ex-colony.
This easing, which takes effect on Friday, will ease this territory whose economy, already affected last year by the trade war between China and the United States, and by the internal political crisis, has been hit hard by the epidemic.
Authorities also announced a project to distribute reusable face masks to the city’s 7.5 million residents.
Hong Kong was, after China, one of the first territories affected by the pandemic. But the semi-autonomous region has managed, despite its proximity to mainland China, to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
The territory totals a thousand cases of contamination and four deaths. Hong Kong has not registered a new case in ten of the last 16 days. All registered cases were of people entering Hong Kong who were quarantined.
“I hope that these measures constitute a relief for the inhabitants” Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam told reporters on Tuesday.
The ban on meeting more than four people in public in restaurants has been extended to eight people. The distance of 1.5 meters is maintained between the tables.
Concerts are still prohibited, and discos are closed. Cinemas and beauty salons may reopen but while respecting hygiene measures.
Hong Kong’s economy has suffered from the pandemic, and its GDP fell 8.9% in the first year-on-year quarter, its worst result since there are local statistics, in 1974, according to data released on Monday.
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