Hong Kong plans to soften some COVID-19 related measures

Hong Kong is planning to ease some of its COVID-19 measures next month, Report informs citing Reuters that Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam that the ban on flights from Australia, the UK, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the United States will be lifted from April 1.

"The flight ban is no longer timely and appropriate... It will cause huge protest for people of Hong Kong who are stuck in these nine countries if we continue the ban," Lam said at a press briefing.

At the same time, according to her, if there is a negative test for coronavirus, the hotel quarantine for arrivals can be reduced from 14 to seven days.

She also noted that schools will resume face-to-face classes from April 19, after the Easter holidays, while public places, including sports facilities, will also open from April 21.

These steps followed a backlash from businesses and residents who see how the rest of the world is moving to "living with the virus".