Lam: Hong Kong to relax some virus restrictions

Hong Kong is going to relax some of its anti-coronavirus social distancing restrictions and allow schools to reopen in sts, Chief Executive Carrie Lam anunced Tuesday afteron.

And government is going to give a free, reusable face mask to every one of Hong Kong's more than 7 million residents to stop spread of COVID-19, illness caused by virus.

Lam explained masks will be made out of copper thread and are called "CU masks" in English, or "see you masks."

Schools will resume from May 27, with students in more senior grades at secondary schools returning to schools first, while some younger pupils will follow suit in June.

Lam said Hong Kong’s social-distancing measures will remain in place for two more weeks, until May 21.

For most people, new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

But virus is highly contagious and can be spread by those with mild or visible symptoms.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.

Hong Kong has seen local transmissions of coronavirus for 16 consecutive days, and its total COVID-19 cases stand at just over 1,000, with four reported deaths.