Speaking on a radio program Saturday, Hui said Hong Kong has had relaxed social distancing measures for about a month, and only a few schools and restaurants were hit by Covid infections, meaning that the immunity barrier -- built by increased vaccination rates and natural infections -- is working.

The pandemic is unlikely to rebound, and the daily caseload is expected to remain at triple digits, Hui continued, calling against tightening the Covid curbs.

When asked if the three-digit caseload would affect the progress of reopening borders with the mainland, Hui believed after the fifth wave that the matter should be tackled by the John Lee Ka-chiu's administration, who will have to mull relevant conditions with mainland health authorities.

As for the reopening of tourism in Japan and South Korea, Hui pointed out that the city's current isolation and testing measures can effectively prevent imported cases from entering local communities.

He called on the elderly to receive their third jab and medics and cross-border drivers with high risks of infection to receive their fourth jab.

Hui expected the next-generation vaccine targeting the Omicron variant to come out in the fourth quarter of this year and recommended that the public get their shots by then.