HONG Kong might scrap its mask mandate as soon as early March, a major step as one of the world’s last Covid-19 holdouts works to return to normal and reclaim its status as a global business hub.

Indoor and outdoor mask requirements may be removed at the same time, though face coverings will still need to be worn at high-risk places including hospitals, according to a report in the Ming Pao newspaper on Monday (Feb 27), citing unidentified people.

The South China Morning Post had previously reported that residents would be allowed to unmask by the end of March.

The Ming Pao report comes as neighbouring casino hub Macau eased its own outdoor mask policy starting on Monday, saying that its Covid-19 situation was stable. 

Last week, Hong Kong extended mask regulations by two weeks to March 8, even as it kicked off its pricey “Hello Hong Kong” campaign aimed at luring back visitors.

The city is working to bolster its global footing again, giving away air tickets to tourists and again hosting VIP events including Art Basel – but masks have remained a deterrent and undermined the idea that everything is back to normal.

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The measures began almost three years ago as the city fought to keep the virus at bay, and have remained in place even as most of the world drops pandemic-era restrictions.

It is Hong Kong’s last pandemic restriction, after the city eased most virus curbs and reopened to the world last December following China’s pivot away from Covid Zero.

Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee has repeatedly said that he hopes to remove the rule after the winter surge ends, but he has not given further specifics as yet. BLOOMBERG