Easing of social distancing to proceed

April 14, 2022

Chief Executive Carrie Lam:

The first phase of relaxation (of social distancing measures) on April 21 will go ahead. I do not think we will be caught in a situation that we need to put on hold what we have announced this morning about the first phase of relaxation because I will come to the point about the precautionary measures and the capacity building that we have done over the past three months, which enable us to manage a possible risk of a rebound in (the number of positive COVID-19) cases.
 
But of course, you (may) remember that when I mentioned about (the) relaxation of social distancing measures on March 21, it was supposed to take place in a gradual (and) orderly manner through three stages over a period of three months. We have not gone into detail this morning about the second phase and the third phase. It is exactly because we need to monitor the situation after the Easter holiday and also to take account of possible scenarios of a sudden increase in (the number of) confirmed cases.

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said Hong Kong is capable of managing a possible risk of a rebound in COVID-19 cases after the Easter holidays and that the first-phase relaxation of social distancing measures will be rolled out on April 21 as planned.

The Government announced on March 21 that the relaxation of social distancing measures will be carried out in three phases over a period of three months from April 21.

At the daily press conference this morning, Mrs Lam explained that the decision was made after considering the city's social and economic needs and balancing public health considerations.

She said Hong Kong is now much better prepared to cope with the epidemic and hence the social distancing measures will be eased as scheduled after the Easter holidays.

“The first phase of relaxation of social distancing measures on April 21 will go ahead.

“I do not think we will be caught in a situation that we need to put on hold what we have announced this morning about the first phase of relaxation because I will come to the point about the precautionary measures and the capacity building that we have done over the past three months, which enable us to manage a possible risk of a rebound in the number of positive COVID-19 cases.

“But of course, you may remember that when I mentioned about the relaxation of social distancing measures on March 21, it was supposed to take place in a gradual and orderly manner through three stages over a period of three months.

“We have not gone into detail this morning about the second phase and the third phase. It is exactly because we need to monitor the situation after the Easter holiday and also to take account of possible scenarios of a sudden increase in the number of confirmed cases.”

Mrs Lam urged citizens to adhere to the social distancing rules and maintain good personal protection, especially during the Easter holidays, with a view to resuming normal daily living as soon as possible.