Health authorities in China’s capital Beijing have removed a requirement for people to wear masks outdoors, further relaxing rules aimed at preventing the spread the novel coronavirus after the city reported 13 consecutive days without new cases.

Despite the relaxed guidelines, a large proportion of people continued to wear masks in Beijing.

Some said the mask made them feel safe, while others said social pressures to wear the masks were also a factor.

A man without wearing a face mask rides on a scooter at a hutong, after Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control announced that wearing face masks are no longer mandatory outdoor in Beijing, following the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, China, August 21, 2020. – Reuters
A man without wearing a face mask rides on a scooter at a hutong, after Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control announced that wearing face masks are no longer mandatory outdoor in Beijing, following the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak, China, August 21, 2020. – Reuters

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