Speaking in a press briefing this morning, chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu said there must be a well-thought-out plan before considering further easing Hong Kong’s “0+3” quarantine scheme, but he stressed the SAR will bear people’s livelihood and the economy in mind on the road to normalcy.

Lee said since the “0+3” scheme came into effect two weeks ago, the Hong Kong International Airport experienced a 25 to 30 percent increase in passengers for October compared to September.

He added that the number of inbound travelers has increased by 30 percent, while the number of non-local residents coming into the city went up by 80 percent, all with the help of the “0+3” scheme.

Meanwhile, the chief executive said he would not compare the city’s anti-epidemic efforts with Singapore, noting a difference in the health system and culture between the two places.

He said with the coronavirus still yet to depart the city, Hong Kong must implement the measures according to actual circumstances in the territory, despite reporters having pointed out a similar third-jab rate in both places.