Hong Kong has confirmed it will ease some of the world's most stringent Covid-19 restrictions, allowing beauty salons, cinemas and gyms to reopen from 21 April as infections in the global financial hub hover below 2,000 per day.
The city has been hit by a fifth wave of coronavirus since early this year that has battered business and led to more than 8,600 deaths, many in the past two months, although cases have dropped in recent days.
Coronavirus restrictions have helped fuel a net outflow of around 70,000 people in February and March, up from nearly 17,000 in December, raising concerns over the city's status as a global financial centre.
The government said that up to four people could gather at any time from 21 April, up from two currently, and restaurants could stay open until 10pm, extending opening hours for dining venues across the city from 6pm.