Hong Kong has not had any case of local transmission of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for over two weeks, with the city resuming back to pre-pandemic times.

The city "has recorded only 15 new cases since April 20, all of which were people with recent travel history. That brings the city's total to 1,041 cases and four deaths," according to CNN.

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"Of those total cases, 900 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital," it added. Meanwhile, worldwide confirmed cases are over 3.5 million, while recoveries and fatalities are at 1.17 million and 252,000, respectively.°

COVID-19 originated in mainland China in December, then reached Hong Kong on January 24. By that time, the virus was already present in different countries around the world.

Strict measures versus the pandemic

After the virus spread to other countries, students and residents started returning to Hong Kong in waves. At the end of the month, confirmed cases in the city exceeded 700.

Hong Kong was able to contain its second wave of infections, but public panic peaked. Crowds hoarded toilet paper, face masks, and supplies until supermarket aisles throughout the city were empty.

To bring back control to the city, the Hong Kong government adopted strict policies. Some of the things the government did to lessen the impact of the second wave include "[barring] non-residents from entering the city, [stopping] travelers from transiting through the city's airport, and [implementing] strict quarantine and testing measures on all arrivals to the city, regardless of origin."

Everyone under home quarantine had electronic bracelets to track their location, while there was a liquor ban. All gyms, sports facilities, and most cafes and restaurants were closed

Hong Kong had low case numbers once, followed by a spike in infections that prompted the government to apply stringent restrictions.

But now the city is continuously letting its guard down, which started in late February. According to CNN, "Hong Kong's success in surviving multiple waves of the virus provides hard earned lessons to other cities around the world now looking to relax restrictions."

No relapses

One of the first things it did was implement social distancing. The city closed its borders and began social distancing one week after its first recorded case.

Hong Kong officials acknowledged the impact of COVID-19 to the economy and health of its citizens. CNN said, "this three-month stretch of working from home, business closures and service suspensions has dealt a massive blow to both the city's economy and the mental health and wellbeing of residents."

According to Hong Kong's leader Chief Executive Carrie Lam, she feels strongly about lifting restrictions and giving people time to enjoy the day social contact is restored.

"I do feel very strongly, and also echoed by many people in society, that the time for some relaxation, for some lifting of the restrictions that we put on this social contact has come," Lam said

The new, relaxed guidelines will take effect on Friday. "It will allow more people to gather in public and some businesses to reopen," according to CNN.

To avoid a repeat of what happened in February, everyone is asked not to let their guard down. Lam said, "With the virus still wreaking havoc on the rest of the world, it's too soon to celebrate, she warned.

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