She also told schools to stage fewer activities where students and teachers take off their masks.

Speaking to media on Friday afternoon, Lam highlighted that the daily Covid caseload exceeded 1,000 over the past two days, which indicated a rebound in the pandemic development.

However, she continued that the rising figures are within authorities' expectation as there are more social activities following the relaxation of Covid rules. Still, she noted that the infection numbers cannot yet lead to another wave of outbreak with hospitals taking in few critical cases and the city's adequate testing capability.

She believed the government needs not to tighten the Covid curbs at this point, given the economic and social needs and citizens' acceptance levels. She appealed to the public to avoid cross-family gatherings as well.

On another note, the government will reopen the community isolation facility in Kai Tak after more infections are reported by elderly homes recently.

The Social Welfare Department also found an elderly home that can be used for reverse quarantine, where senior residents that are not infected or listed as close contacts will retreat.

Lam added that elderly home staffers will only be viewed as having completed the vaccination requirement after receiving their third jab, and authorities will discuss with relevant stakeholders on when the doubly-jabbed workers will be requested to take their third shot.

Lam said the city has enough testing resources and oral Covid treatments to deal with the pandemic, and will not seek help from Beijing at the moment.

The government will also send out rapid testing kits to citizens more widely, including distributing the kits to property management companies and constructions sites.