Coronavirus: Hong Kong confirms 321 new infections as residents enjoy sun, sea and sports without masks, with Covid-19 curbs further eased
- Social-distancing measures further relax in Hong Kong as coronavirus situation continues to abate
- Beaches, pools and water sports centres open to public, and masks also optional when exercising outdoors
Hongkongers are basking in the sun on beaches without masks and gathering in larger groups over lunch after the further easing of social-distancing rules.
The latest relaxation of anti-epidemic curbs on Thursday affects public beaches, swimming pools and water sports centres, which were closed as the fifth wave of coronavirus infections worsened.
Masks were also no longer mandatory when exercising outdoors, another measure Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on Tuesday.
Health officials on Thursday confirmed 321 Covid-19 infections, including 17 imported cases, as well as five more deaths related to the virus. There were also 26 reports of positive self-tests from 24 students and two teachers.
At Repulse Bay Beach, one of 15 public beaches with lifeguards on duty, about 100 people were soaking up the sun or swimming at 10am.
Emerging from the water was Wilson Tsang, 77. He said he used to go for a morning swim every day but stopped in January when the fifth wave broke out.
“It is so comfortable to swim in the water. It was unbearable not being able to swim every day,” he said, with a big smile. “At 6.30 to 7am, there were even more swimmers.”