Mandatory mask-wearing will be limited to people with underlying illnesses, the elderly and pregnant women in mid-June, according to authorities.

The compulsory wearing of face masks will still apply to people in poorly ventilated places and crowded areas, the permanent secretary for public health said on Tuesday.

The Covid-19 situation was improving faster than expected and the disease would become endemic in the country as planned, he said, referring to the Public Health Ministry's plan to declare Covid-19 an endemic disease on July 1.

Local health officials will offer advice to people on how to safely live with Covid-19, he said.

The government made wearing a face mask in public mandatory early last year and also set a fine for violations, to help limit the spread of Covid.

A recent survey found people had become more lenient with mask-wearing.