"The medical system could be overburdened as Hong Kong still sees the trend of daily confirmed cases at a high level under the winter season," he said.

The government announced on Wednesday to drop most Covid curbs including Vaccine Pass, Covid tests for inbound arrivals, and mandatory quarantine for Covid close contacts, but maintain the mask-on orders.

"Only after winter, when there is no longer a risk for respiratory infection disease, could we consider taking off masks," Leung added.

He also suggested that travellers from the mainland to Hong Kong should be required to have received at least two doses of vaccination to reduce the potential infection risks.