Having discussions and making “general remarks” about Hong Kong's coronavirus strategy is not illegal and does not violate the Chinese territory's national security law, the government said, as it grapples to control a rise in cases.

Hong Kong has followed China in sticking to a zero-Covid policy with the economic and psychological tolls rapidly rising, and measures becoming more draconian than those first implemented in 2020, Reuters reports.

Experts have said that the current policy is not sustainable as cases continue to increase due to the highly transmissible Omicron strain.

Hong Kong's policy to achieve “Dynamic zero infection” was the most effective way to fight the outbreak and protect public health, the government said in a statement.