Hong Kong tightens measures as COVID-19 cases hit new high

Hong Kong: Hong Kong will mandate face masks at indoor public places and add two countries including the United States to the high-risk list, as its daily increase of COVID-19 cases hit a new high on Wednesday.

Starting yesterday, people were required to wear face masks at indoor public areas for 14 days, including shopping malls, supermarkets, building lobbies and bus terminus, Sophia Chan, Secretary for Food and Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government (HKSAR), told a press conference on Wednesday.

The measure was endorsed at a special meeting of the Executive Council, Ms Chan said.

People currently have to wear masks on public transport, according to an anti-disease regulation. Hong Kong witnessed a resurgence of coronavirus infections over the past weeks with numerous transmission chains still unknown. The government has strengthened control and preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus, including shutting down some entertainment venues and resuming restrictions over dining-in services of restaurants.