However, with health departments reporting over 6,000 new infections daily, the government has to be “very careful” when adjusting the social distancing measures, Yau continued.

Speaking on a radio program Saturday morning, the commerce chief said he was optimistic about the effect of the latest “3+4” quarantine arrangement on the commercial sector, which brought more and more inbound travelers to the city.

He stressed that the government’s anti-pandemic measures have to be efficient and practical and strike a balance between the opinions of the industry and the lives of the public.

Regarding the exhibition industry’s calls for relaxing restrictions on workers holding amber health codes, Yau said authorities are now mulling relevant adjustments based on scientific data.

Yau believed international exhibition organizers would return to Hong Kong once the quarantine measures were scrapped. He continued that the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo will be staged in September, followed by an international investment summit and the Rugby Sevens in November, showcasing Hong Kong’s gradual revival.

As for earlier reports that said European and American bank leaders had asked for quarantine-free entry, Yau noted the SAR government has yet to receive such a request.

On another note, Yau said the recent immigration wave is only temporary and cited the city’s unique advantages with the support of China and the connections to international societies.

Yau also said that immigrants will come back to Hong Kong after seeing the development opportunities in the Greater Bay Area in the long run.