The authorities in Hong Kong announced on Thursday that, starting from January 30, they will waive the obligation to isolate people infected with COVID-19, thus removing one of the last major restrictions related to the coronavirus in force in the Chinese metropolis, Reuters reports, Agerpres reads.

The lifting of the requirement to isolate people infected with the coronavirus is part of the decision to change the status of COVID-19 from a severe respiratory disease to an endemic disease and follows a similar measure taken by Beijing on January 8.

„I have decided to cancel the quarantine order for patients infected with COVID-19. This is one of the important steps towards normalcy,” John Lee, Hong Kong’s chief executive, said on Thursday.

Hong Kong residents are still required to wear sanitary masks, except when exercising. Last week, high-speed trains connecting Hong Kong and mainland China resumed running for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agerpres