The government says from Thursday it will ease the ban on public gatherings from groups of four to groups of 12. It says the decision was taken in the light of stable figures for people in intensive care with Covid, and the death rate.

"The epidemic situation in Hong Kong has been stable so far since it subsided from the peak in early September. Although the number of new cases did not decline further but hovers around some 5,000 per day with a slight increase recently due to the emergence of new mutant strains of potentially higher transmissibility, the overall figures of hospitalised patients, severe cases and deaths remain at a stable level," the government said in a statement.

It said the public healthcare system could maintain the majority of its normal services while handling Covid in-patient cases.

Also starting from Thursday, live performances will be allowed at bars and night clubs.

Performers will have to do PCR tests twice a week, and test negative on an RAT test before entering the premises.

Other social distancing measures will remain unchanged, including use of the LeaveHomeSafe app; and for people going to banquets bars and clubs to take RAT tests.