Respiratory medicine expert Leung Chi-chiu on Wednesday urged the government to keep ordering people with Covid into isolation until after testing rules are relaxed, to minimise the impact of any increase in infections among vulnerable groups.

On an RTHK programme, Leung said once Covid testing requirements are cancelled, there may be another round of outbreaks in care homes and schools, and children who do not experience symptoms can easily infect family members.

“We have to first handle the rebound caused by the cancellation of testing requirements, before we scrap the basic isolation policies,” he said.

“In terms of manpower, Hong Kong doesn’t have to make asymptomatic people go to work. It’s unlikely places where there is a tsunami of outbreaks will have to do so to maintain the operation of society,” Leung said.

The expert added that mandatory mask-wearing should also stay in place until after the winter flu season ends, which should be by the end of March.

On Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee said he hopes all Covid restrictions can be lifted this year.

Speaking on the same programme as Leung, Tim Pang from the Society for the Community Organisation said authorities must think about how to incorporate medical treatment for Covid-19 patients into regular healthcare services before they remove all infection control measures.

“Designated clinics or teleconsultation services should be maintained until at least after the transmission level is comparable to flu,” he said.

Pang added that the authorities should also maintain services for patients suffering from long Covid.