Performers must take two PCR tests in seven days, and the audience must take a rapid antigen test (RAT) that day before entering the performance venues and wear a mask throughout the show.

Other venues benefited by the authorities' move include restaurants, cinemas, museums, and hotels.

The relaxations will also include allowing eating and drinking in outdoor areas of theme parks.

Speaking in a press conference Thursday afternoon, Under Secretary for Health Libby Lee Ha-yun said easing the group gathering cap to 12 involves amendments to be made to Cap 599G Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Gathering) Regulation.

The government will have to confirm the easing after the amendments are finalized, Lee said.

Lee continued that the move comes as the SAR government hopes to allow citizens to resume their normal lives with the infection risk under control, after more than two years of challenges posed by the pandemic.

She added that the risk of rebound is the government’s top concern when easing Covid curbs.

When reporters asked about the “0+0” measure, Lee answered that the “0+3” measure has been only running for three weeks, and they need more time to observe if there is any room for adjustment.

Meanwhile, Albert Au Ka-wing, the Centre for Health Protection's principal medical and health officer, said the city logged 4,871 infections daily on average over the last seven days.

The CHP also recorded 52 deaths and 29 cases involving the new subvariant of XBB.1 over the last seven days.