Hong Kong will ease some coronavirus restrictions, the government said on Monday, allowing swimming pools and beaches to open and shortening the quarantine period for some international arrivals to 14 days from 21.
Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan, told a press briefing that local infections had come down considerably, giving the administration room to relax some measures.
Beaches and swimming pools would reopen from April 1, while religious gatherings could resume with a maximum capacity of 30%. Cinemas and theme parks would be able to increase capacity to 75% from 50%.
Quarantine for arrivals from countries considered a low-medium risk, such as Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, would be reduced to 14 days from 21 currently. High-risk destinations such as Brazil, Ireland, South Africa, and the United Kingdom would need 21 days, she said.
Chan said the government was also aiming to bring back Hong Kong residents who have been stranded in Britain from late April after the government banned flights from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong in December.