Mainland China’s top Covid-19 expert has praised Hong Kong’s easing of pandemic control measures on a rare visit to the city, as he revealed a number of new coronavirus vaccines and medications that are “better” than Paxlovid will soon be available across the border.

Zhong Nanshan provided the dose of optimism as a top local government expert said the pandemic was “over” in Hong Kong and Covid-19 vaccination would likely be regularised like flu jabs, following the World Health Organization’s twice-yearly meeting later this month.

Zhong on Saturday said masks and vaccines played an important role in Hong Kong’s anti-pandemic fight. He added the chances of Hong Kong suffering a rebound in serious Covid-19 cases were slim.