Hong Kong CNN —One of the last major international cities requiring face coverings on Tuesday announced it will end its controversial Covid mask mandate nearly three years after it was enacted to prevent the spread of the virus. Hong Kong’s mandate, enforced through fines that could reach more than $1,000, had required facial coverings in all public spaces. Hong Kong has rolled back several other major controls in recent months, most notably mandatory quarantine for all international arrivals, a move celebrated by travel-starved residents, overseas family members and struggling local businesses. Most other places in Asia have either fully or partially eased their mask mandates in recent months, including South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The mask mandate, too, drew criticism at times; in July 2020, during the peak of Hong Kong’s humid and sweltering summer, the government expanded the mandate to require masks even when exercising outdoors.
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