In a TV interview on Sunday, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the current epidemic situation does not allow for the complete removal of quarantine, emphasising sharply increasing number of arrivals may lead to more imported Covid-19 cases.

He argued the newly announced "0+3" measure, which will be in force on September 26, was issued under the consideration of the ability of society to balance the epidemic and economic activities.

"It is not appropriate for Hong Kong to start a '0+0' arrangement," he said, since the rate of entrants infected with Covid was three times to local residents.

When asked about his previous speech, which slammed 'living with Covid', Lo pointed out his intention was to call on the public to keep fighting the virus.

He added that there is room for relaxing social distancing measures.

Lo also claimed the cooperation of the city and China to prevent disease does not mean that Hong Kong has to be in line with the nation's anti-epidemic policies. He mentioned the border could be reopened if Hong Kong maintains no risk for the nation's disease prevention process.