Hong Kong bars, entertainment venues to drop COVID test

A negative COVID-19 test will no longer be required to enter bars and restaurants in Hong Kong, and cinemas and performing arts venues will be permitted to operate at full capacity, according to health authorities.

During a media briefing, Libby Lee, the city's undersecretary for health, stated that the government was investigating where they could further relax restrictions so that the city could return to normal life.

Hong Kong has followed China's lead in combating the novel coronavirus for nearly three years.

This month, China began dismantling its "zero-COVID" regime of lockdowns and testing, following protests against restrictions that had kept the virus at bay, but at a high cost to society and the second-largest economy in the world.

A week prior, Hong Kong announced that individuals entering the Chinese territory from outside mainland China or Macau would no longer be subject to COVID movement controls or be barred from certain venues.

The city government also eliminated a mandatory COVID mobile application that was required to check in at most locations, including gyms, beauty salons, and schools, last week.

In spite of the fact that Hong Kong has effectively dismantled many of its stringent COVID regulations over the past few months, masks are still required in public spaces unless exercising, and a vaccination pass is required to enter many venues.