HONG KONG, Dec 20 (Reuters) – People in Hong Kong will from Thursday now not want to indicate a adverse COVID-19 take a look at to get into bars and eating places whereas cinemas and performing venues shall be allowed to function at full capability, well being authorities mentioned.

“The government is looking deeply into where we can further relax measures so we can go back to normal life,” Libby Lee, town’s beneath secretary for well being informed a media briefing on Tuesday.

Hong Kong has for almost three years largely adopted China’s lead in tackling the novel coronavirus.

China this month started dismantling its stringent “zero-COVID” regime of lockdowns and testing after protests in opposition to curbs that had stored the virus however at an enormous value to society and the world’s second-largest economic system.

Hong Kong’s leisure comes per week after it introduced that individuals arriving within the Chinese territory from exterior mainland China would or from Macau would now not face COVID motion controls or be barred from sure venues.

The metropolis authorities final week additionally scrapped a compulsory COVID cellular utility that was required to examine in to most venues corresponding to gyms, magnificence salons and faculties.

While Hong Kong has successfully dismantled a lot of its stringent COVID guidelines in latest months, masks are nonetheless obligatory in public locations except exercising, and a vaccine go is required to enter many venues.

City chief John Lee mentioned on Tuesday the federal government was taking a gradual method to enjoyable restrictions to minimise public well being dangers.

Lee will go on a four-day responsibility go to to Beijing on Wednesday the place he mentioned he would report on Hong Kong’s political and financial atmosphere in addition to the COVID scenario.

A intently anticipated full reopening of Hong Kong’s border with mainland China and quarantine free journey between each locations is anticipated to be on the agenda.

While bar and restaurant prospects have needed to present a adverse take a look at, leisure venues corresponding to cinemas, museums and theme parks have been working at 85% of capability.

Banquet services, bars and nightclubs can even have the ability to function at full capability from Thursday.

Reporting by Farah Master and Darerca Siu; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Robert Birsel

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