Beijing and Hong Kong ease COVID-19 restrictions 

Hong Kong on Thursday reopened beaches and pools in relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, while China’s capital Beijing began easing quarantine rules for arrivals from overseas, Report says, citing Associated Press.

Hong Kong had closed water sports venues amid an outbreak of the highly transmissible omicron variant but has been tailing off restrictions as new case numbers fall. Deaths from COVID-19 have fallen from a high of almost 300 per day in March to zero in recent days.

Restaurants are also allowed to seat up to eight customers at a table — from four previously — and masks will no longer be required during outdoor exercise, a change that’s important mainly to organizers of group sporting events.

Beijing will now require arrivals from overseas to quarantine at a hotel for 10 days, followed by another week of home isolation.