Speaking on a TV program Saturday, Chan believed local communities are protected by a natural immunity barrier, citing the infection numbers, vaccination rates, and deaths figures during the fifth wave.

However, she expected the pandemic development to slightly rebound following the relaxation of Covid curbs, including the reopening of bars and karaoke establishments, and appealed to citizens to engage in fewer maskless activities.

The health chief continued that authorities already have plans to address the next wave of the pandemic outbreak, and the city must still stand by the policy of preventing the importation of cases at this point.

“Many have been asking for canceling the flight suspension mechanism, but if flights from other regions transport too many cases into Hong Kong, the risk of Covid breaking out in local communities will increase as well,” Chan said.

She called on closer monitoring when resuming regular air travel and added authorities would see if any new mutation of Covid entered the city.