Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor holds a press conference at Central Government Offices on Sept 29, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said Tuesday her government was considering exempting Hong Kong residents currently on the Chinese mainland from 14 days of mandatory quarantine when they return with a negative coronavirus reading. 

Carrie Lam said the city’s third wave of COVID-19 infections had stabilized as in the past week, Hong Kong saw only one infection of unknown origin

Speaking to reporters before a regular Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Lam said talks over exemption modalities had entered its final stage. She said Hong Kong residents who wished to return should be given priority in a gradual resumption of cross-boundary people flow after nine months into the public health crisis.

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She said health authorities would soon announce adjustments to social distancing rules, set to expire on Thursday midnight.

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Lam said she welcomed the Legislative Council’s Monday's decision to approve the third tranche of anti-epidemic funding worth HK$24 billion (US$3.1 billion), which aims to help the city’s coronavirus-battered industries and residents.