Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau said on Saturday that Hong Kong will not compromise its anti-Covid measures for the sake of the economy, despite growing calls from the business sector to resume quarantine-free international travel.

Edward Yau told an RTHK programme that he doesn't have a crystal ball to predict when the mandatory seven-day hotel quarantine for people traveling to Hong Kong could be dropped.

He said travelers will still have to quarantine for the time being to reduce the risk of community transmission, as people are worried there would be importation of cases if restrictions are relaxed.

Yau said the SAR just managed the suppress the devastating fifth wave of infections and it's vital to do better anti-epidemic work.

"This is the priority and we can't compromise it because of the economy," the minister said.

Yau said quarantine rules had to take into account the overall situation of Hong Kong and the reopening of the international financial hub would have to be done on a step-by-step basis.

Speaking on a different radio programme, health chief Sophia Chan said authorities were studying whether returnees should do two PCR Covid tests – instead of one – after they complete their quarantine.

Her suggestion came after a woman who recently returned from the United States tested positive for Covid 12 days after her arrival – leading to a subvariant of Omicron spreading in the community.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam had earlier said there was not likely to be any relaxation of the SAR's pandemic border control measures before she completes her term at the end of June.