The Mask Factor

With both the WHO and CDC removing their travel advisories against Hong Kong, we could not help but wonder what it is like to travel to this ironically named Special Administrative Region (or SAR for short), one of the most energetic and magnetic places on earth.

Numerous questions floated wildly in our minds, such as is it safe ? Does everyone wear a mask - as the worlds mainstream mass media would have us believe ? Does a traveller have to wear a mask ? Do people go out ? Are shops and restaurants open ? If I cough or sneeze, will I be locked up ? are there any gremlins ?!

OK, so forget the last question, but during the past months the worlds mass media has portrayed an image of Hong Kong as one of almost a ghost town where people do not go out, where when they do, they wear all forms of masks and take other protective measures, and generally of a society in fear of the unknown SARS factor.

So while the WHO and CDC after their thorough scientific and analytical procedures are happy, and confident about the safety of travelling to Hong Kong, the HKTB's job of persuading the average traveller that it is business as normal may take a while longer.

 Now however may well be one of the best times ever to visit Hong Kong. There are some incredible, if not not truly amazing promotions available to attract people back to Hong Kong, from the airlines, hotels, restaurants, bars and shops of Hong Kong - but is it safe ?

We decided to find out.

Arriving at Bangkok International Airport, it was encouraging to see less staff and travellers wearing masks, after all numerous international health organizations, including the WHO, have said that a mask does not really help, unless you also wear gloves and protective gear for your eyes. Masks can in themselves install a certain sense of fear among others, but can also make you laugh as you quickly begin to realise there is no consistency in their usage. Smokers remove their masks in the smoking areas, others remove them when eating on the airline or in the restaurants at the airport, and others just take them off from time to time because they get hot.

Strangely perhaps, the simple fact that not every security guard, airline personnel and airport worker at Hong Kong International Airport were wearing masks came as a great relief and confidence booster as we disembarked from the plane. Then an even more ironic and pleasing sight to behold was the very small queues in immigration, arriving on this same flight under normal circumstances would have meant at least a 20 - 40 minute wait just to get through immigration, but because of the lack of visitors only five minutes was needed.

Confidence was completely restored, and a deep breath of relief released as we arrived in downtown Hong Kong, people were out, they were shopping, eating and drinking in the restaurants cafes and bars, people were rushing around as they always do in Hong Kong, mobiles seeming to be in constant operation. We were greeted with warm welcoming smiles and it felt great - Hong Kong is back and there was not a gremlin in sight!