No plan to re-introduce mask mandate despite double the threat of Covid and flu: Lo Chung-mau

The government has no plan to re-introduce the mask mandate, said Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau, as he pointed out that Covid subvariants have become weaker after mutations and there are now effective treatments. 

His remark came on a TV interview on Saturday, saying that authorities no longer need to adopt compulsory means in order to contain the pandemic. 

The Centre for Health Protection earlier said Hong Kong will be entering the peak season of winter flu next week, and reminds citizens to stay vigilant as the city may be hit simultaneously by flu and Covid. 

Lo noticed that although the peak flu season came later than expected, it is not uncommon. 

He recalled that the weather was still hot during November and people assumed a winter. Yet, the temperature plummeted as soon as Christmas came. 

At the time, authorities were already expecting peak flu season to follow very soon. 

As for the suggestion of strengthening the screening  of travelers for fever at ports by Covid advisor Yuen Kwok-yung, Lo said so far no evidence provides that there are any new and unidentified disease causative agents. 

Stepping up health screening targeting inbound travelers for no good reason won’t serve any purpose, he added.