‘Boost Covid measures to cut virus risk to mainland’

Acting Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong needs to boost its anti-epidemic measures to avoid bringing virus risks to the mainland.

He made the comments after attending a meeting on epidemic control with mainland officials in Shenzhen on Monday.

During the talks, Lee stressed that reopening the border would benefit the economy and people’s livelihoods.

However, no timetable on the border’s reopening was discussed.

Speaking to the press after returning to the SAR, Lee said Hong Kong needs to maintain the effectiveness of its anti-Covid measures.

“We need to improve our anti-epidemic measures, including the testing requirements for people crossing the border, or in terms of quarantine management and our entire risk management system.

“We will actively and quickly come up with decisions on strengthening our measures. If there are individual cases, we will efficiently detect them early on and intercept them, to ensure the risk will not be brought to the mainland.”

Lee added he hopes to hold another meeting on the issue with mainland officials soon.