The Chief Secretary, Eric Chan, said on Sunday that the three-day health monitoring rule for inbound travellers is still the best arrangement for Hong Kong, as it maintains competitiveness while keeping Covid transmission risk within control.

He made the remarks in a social media post, where he said the government was doing its best to prevent a resurgence in case numbers, so the city doesn’t have to “backtrack on the road to normality”.

He noted the business sector had been calling on the government to scrap the so called "0+3" rule, under which inbound travellers no longer have to undergo hotel quarantine, but are given an amber health code which bans them from going to restaurants, bars, and a range of other places, for the first three days following their arrival in the territory.

“But we must balance the risk in our anti-epidemic efforts, otherwise the loss will outweigh the gain if there’s a rebound,” said Chan.

He said those in business were now able to inspect their companies, meet clients, and take part in exhibitions as soon as they had landed in Hong Kong.

“As risks remain under control, different international tournaments, activities and concerts can now be held, and they will restore Hong Kong’s international reputation as a vibrant city and enhance its competitiveness,” he said.

Chan said the government would continue to implement targeted, scientific anti-epidemic measures and would not slacken off in their fight against Covid.