Hong Kong public health challenges in 2023: from the lifting of Covid measures to the rise of suicides among students
- The Post recaps some of the city’s major health-related milestones over the year, from the lifting of testing measures to sustained vaccination efforts
- Health authorities also faced rise in student suicide cases and monkeypox
Hong Kong sought to return to a state of normality in 2023 after three years of Covid-19, with authorities aiming to restore the city’s pre-pandemic status as an economic and international hub.
But even as the borders reopened and Hongkongers ventured outdoors unmasked, the city continued to face various public health challenges as well as enjoy some opportunities.
The Post recaps some of the major health-related milestones in 2023.
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Murder, end of Covid and a once in a century rainstorm: Hong Kong in 2023
1. Borders fully reopen
On February 6, mainland China fully reopened its borders with Hong Kong and Macau. All Covid-19 travel restrictions were dropped and no quotas were imposed on arrivals from either side. Similarly, all pre-departure testing requirements for travelling between the two places were lifted.
The reopening of all cross-border checkpoints meant all channels for the flow of people and cargo between the city and Shenzhen as well as the broader Guangdong province could return to pre-pandemic status.
More than 190,000 people, comprising tourists, students and workers, crossed the border between Hong Kong and mainland China on February 6.
The requirement of having travellers declare their health status when crossing the border was later dropped in November, except for those experiencing symptoms.
2. Smiles in the street again
