Lee repeatedly ducked questions about whether the policy shift was prompted by neighbouring Macau’s decision to lift its outdoor mask-wearing rules on Monday.

“It is because of the overall assessment of all the factors that have been taken into account … that I made the decision,” he said. “I have told people since almost two months ago that this is an issue that I will be actively monitoring to examine when would be an appropriate time to lift the masking requirement.”

Health experts also urged the public to wear masks when on public transport and visiting crowded indoor areas to prevent other respiratory infections.

Students, however, could take off their masks at school, although the daily rapid test requirement would remain in place until March 15 for those at primary schools, kindergartens and special schools pending further review.

Lee said the move was based on the local coronavirus situation and the winding down of a surge in cases of the flu and other respiratory viruses.

“The data showed the local epidemic situation was under control and there was no big rebound. Hong Kong has already built a wide and comprehensive immunity barrier,” Lee said, adding no outbreaks had occurred among high-risk populations, such as hospital patients and staff or elderly residents at care homes.

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Hong Kong to scrap Covid mask mandate for indoors, outdoors after 3 years of pandemic

Hong Kong to scrap Covid mask mandate for indoors, outdoors after 3 years of pandemic

Lee also said Hong Kong’s epidemic situation had not worsened as a result of any coronavirus mutations.

“The overall risk is under control. It is now a suitable time to fully cancel the mask order,” he said.

“We are starting to resume normalcy comprehensively, and that will be very beneficial to economic development, our international competitiveness, as well as our activities which involve everyone in Hong Kong.”

Health minister Lo Chung-mau said the axing of the mask mandate signified Hong Kong was returning to a state of normality.

“The lifting of the mask mandate means an official end to all social-distancing measures. We hope that tomorrow, March 1, will be a better day. We can all show our smiles and say ‘Hello Hong Kong’,” Lo said, referring to the government’s recent global campaign to attract visitors to the city.

Lo explained authorities had decided to axe the rule entirely instead of gradually because of the minimal effect such a piecemeal approach would bring.

“The anti-epidemic effect of keeping a mask order [in some places] is not big. Also, it would be rather complicated and difficult to enforce the rules, and inconvenient for the public,” he said.

Authorities expected a slight increase in Covid-19 and flu cases for a short while, but Lo added the risks to the public and the healthcare system would be “manageable”.

The minister added that the Centre for Health Protection would issue guidelines for people with respiratory symptoms or long-term illnesses on wearing masks in poorly ventilated locations.

The Hospital Authority on Tuesday said that all patients, visitors and staff were required to wear masks at healthcare facilities. Staff would still be required to conduct a rapid test before work every day.

Hong Kong’s mask mandate came into effect in July 2020 and has been regularly renewed.

But the ban on wearing facial coverings at rallies, a law introduced in October 2019 when the city was undergoing a wave of anti-government protests, would remain in place. Lee on Tuesday said the law would be reviewed in due course.

Ahead of Lee’s official announcement, government pandemic adviser Professor Lau Yu-lung said the “long-awaited” lifting of the policy would be “welcomed by the whole of Hong Kong”.

Expressing his support for the government’s decision to axe the mandate in one go, he argued the policy change would be easier to implement and for the public to understand than a step-by-step easing.

Speaking on a radio show, Lau added that he believed people would wear masks on public transport without prompting from authorities.

“We should believe in residents’ ability to manage their health and assess their safety,” he said, adding the public should cover their faces while commuting for at least one to two months more to protect themselves.

Macau to drop outdoor mask mandate from Monday as rule continues in Hong Kong

Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, who advises the government on the pandemic, said that he would have preferred keeping the mask mandate on public transport and in crowded places but understood why officials axed the rule completely.

“The government considered it difficult to implement the mask mandate on public transport,” he said. “There are too many [passengers], and it is hard to send officers to enforce the law.

“In the past three years with the masking practice, people have been in contact with common respiratory viruses much less, and their immunity has dropped.”

Chan Yung-chau, secretary general of the Elderly Services Association of Hong Kong, told the same radio programme that staff working in nursing homes had grown accustomed to wearing masks.

He expected most of the staff would continue to wear masks as a precaution as there had been sporadic Covid-19 cases in some homes for the elderly. The facilities would also allow their residents to decide whether to wear masks.

The city’s leader expressed hope for an economic boost following the end to the mask mandate, and the tourism sector predicted the new arrangement would give visitors a better local experience rather than specifically lure more arrivals.

“It gives a clear message to the world that we have fully resumed normalcy,” said lawmaker Yiu Pak-leung, who represents the tourism sector. “Going mask-free can also give tourists a better experience.”