People gather to watch the sunset as they stand on a viewing platform in Tamar Park overlooking Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon skyline in Hong Kong on May 5, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)

HONG KONG — Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the 19th straight day with no local infections in Hong Kong.

As of 4:00 pm Friday local time, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong remained at 1,044, the CHP said.

With the epidemic subsiding, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has started to resume public services in phases this week and announced to relax social distancing measures

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With the epidemic subsiding, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has started to resume public services in phases this week and announced to relax social distancing measures.

Entertainment venues including fitness rooms, beauty salons, mahjong lounges and bars resumed business on Friday, and restrictions on the number of diners at each table in restaurants will be loosened from four to eight. The limit on group gatherings in public places was raised from four people to eight on Friday.

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The CHP still urged residents to stay alert and avoid social activities including group gatherings to reduce the risk of the COVID-19 spread.