(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government will further relax social distancing measures in May as planned unless a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases occurs, Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced today.

She made the statement ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning and emphasised that the city is on the right track to return to normalcy.

Mrs Lam said: “It is gratifying to know that after more than three months since the fifth wave of COVID-19 hit us, and hit us hard, in Hong Kong, we are on the path to resuming normal activities.

“As far as the social distancing measures are concerned, we will continue to press ahead with the three stages of relaxation that I announced on March 21, unless there is a sudden surge in COVID-19 infection cases, but that looks quite unlikely based on our observations and the experts’ advice because of the high level of hybrid immunity that Hong Kong has achieved.

“We have effectively and successfully rolled out the first stage and I noticed that many Hong Kong people and many restaurant operators are very happy with this first stage of relaxation. The second stage is intended to take place about a month from the first phase, that is, maybe the second half of May.”