Tien on Friday told media that government is expected to make the announcement no later than the end of this month. He added citizens by that time will not be allowed to fill in a paper form to register information instead.

He believed extending the mandate to all restaurants in the city won't bring much trouble to citizens, expecting them to have gotten used to the requirement which had covered all government premises starting this month.

He also estimated the borders between the city and Mainland will reopen as soon as New Year's Eve, after health experts from Mainland have inspected the quarantine facilities in the city and given the green light.

Tien expected the number of travelers will be limited at about 1,000 a day, and they will have to provide their travel history and reason for applying for quarantine exemption to Mainland health authorities.

Therefore he predicted only a small number of travelers will be granted a quarantine-free entry to the Mainland when the borders first reopen.