COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong

A surge in COVID-19 infections has prompted Greece to reinstate the requirement for masks indoors, signaling concerns about the escalating number of cases. Although the measure is currently advised rather than mandatory, health authorities are urging adherence to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Fiona Shi lost her job twice during the pandemic - first, in 2020 when Covid ravaged the travel industry, and then this year as China's strict virus controls hammered businesses in the world's number two economy.    

China's factory output and retail sales remained weak in May, official data showed yesterday, with tepid demand and lingering COVID restrictions putting a damper on growth in the world's second-largest economy.    

The Chinese capital, Beijing, is experiencing an "explosive" epidemic from COVID-19, a government spokesman said on Saturday as the Shanghai Mall conducted mass tests to curb the rise in cases, Reuters reported.

The World Bank has sharply slashed its annual growth forecast for China, warning in a report that COVID disruptions could further slow recovery in the world's second-largest economy.    

Beijing will gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions this week, city officials said on Sunday.    

After some easing in recent days, the Chinese capital - which reported 19 new infections Sunday - announced residents would start returning to work from Monday and schools would reopen from June 13.    

Shoppers returned to the malls of Beijing yesterday as the Chinese capital relaxed pandemic restrictions after declaring a small but persistent COVID-19 outbreak effectively under control.

Hong Kong on Thursday reopened beaches and pools in relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, while China's capital Beijing began easing quarantine rules for arrivals from overseas.

Beijing will conduct mass testing of most of its 21 million people, authorities announced Monday, as a new COVID-19 outbreak sparked stockpiling of food by residents worried about the possibility of a Shanghai-style lockdown.

The Chinese capital began mass testing people in one of its 16 districts where most of the new cases have been found.

Hong Kong relaxed pandemic restrictions on Thursday, with Disneyland and museums reopening and nighttime restaurant dining resuming as the city's worst COVID-19 outbreak appears to be fading.

Enthusiastic visitors ran into Disneyland the moment the gates opened after a three-month closure.