Her positive RAT result came a day after she submitted her application at a Sheung Wan office to become Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress.

It is understood Lee met with some other applicants yesterday, including the chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, Wong Kam-leung.

Lee told reporters at the Sheung Wan office yesterday that she will supplement her application with nominations in addition to the 400 she received from five constituencies and chairpersons of political parties, including Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee of the New People's Party and Lo Wai-kwok of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong.

Asked about the ongoing demonstrations in the mainland against Beijing's anti-Covid regulations, Lee said the curbs are meant to protect citizens. "If there are any inadequacies in handling restrictions, the central authorities will deal with these matters strictly."