Hong Kong health experts on Thursday backed the city’s extension of its mask mandate to March 8, but children’s rights groups questioned the move as they raised concern it would further jeopardise the development of young residents.
Health authorities a day earlier announced the two-week extension, which applies to public transport, paid areas in MTR and public spaces. Offenders will be fined HK$5,000 (US$637) on the spot.
The decision came hot on the heels of Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s renewed pledge to revive a Covid-hit economy in his latest budget blueprint unveiled earlier on Wednesday.
Government pandemic adviser Professor Ivan Hung Fan-ngai on Thursday voiced support for the extension, saying influenza viruses could be better contained under warmer temperatures.
“When we lift the mask mandate, there is likely to be a resurgence of flu cases,” he warned. “But if we scrap the mask mandate in warmer weather, the virus will be less active and the risk of developing complications will be lower.”
He added the city’s population had a weaker immunity against influenza and other upper respiratory tract infections due to limited exposure in the past few years.
Hung suggested removing the outdoor mask mandate in early March, after the current extension expires, and to further drop the indoor requirement in April if there was no significant surge in influenza or related infections.
