Rejoice or reject? Hong Kong’s scrapped mask mandate splits residents
- Residents report mix of joy and caution, with one parent revealing excitement over their son seeing friends and teachers without coverings for first time
- Chief Executive John Lee’s announcement on Tuesday marks end of widespread mandatory mask-wearing after almost three years
Hongkongers are split over the city’s decision to scrap its mask mandate, with some residents saying they are looking forward to bidding farewell to the coverings while others expressed concern over being exposed to Covid-19 in crowded places.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday announced the rule would be scrapped the following day, and Hongkongers swiftly took to social media to joke about their stockpiles of masks.
Some said the coverings were “useless now”, while others encouraged residents to at least finish up the supplies they had already bought.
Yt Isa, 30, said she was preparing venture out in public without a face mask for the first time in years and had bought new makeup in preparation.
“I know we are about to cancel the mask mandate, so I just bought several [lipsticks],” she said. “I haven’t carefully put makeup on for quite a long time.”
A saleswoman at Giorgio Armani Beauty in Mong Kok’s Langham Place said she had noticed more women buying lipstick recently.
Chloe Deng, who works at an international professional services firm, said she was eager for the masks to come off, saying: “My cosmetic products, especially the lipsticks, can finally be used.”