The present invention provides an exhaust gas treatment method including oxidation treatment for converting metallic mercury contained in combustion exhaust gas into mercury chloride; and mercury removal treatment for removing mercury from the combustion exhaust gas by dissolving the mercury chloride in water, wherein a plurality of oxidation catalysts for performing the oxidation treatment are provided, and during the time when the oxidation treatment is performed, at least one of the oxidation catalysts performs catalyst performance restoration treatment without performing oxidation treatment. According to the present invention, the deterioration in mercury removal performance can be restrained even in continuous operation on condition that mercury is oxidized in a low temperature region not higher than 300.degree. C.