Hong Kong will ease strict coronavirus restrictions from Feb 18, re-opening sports and entertainment facilities and extending dining hours, Health Secretary Sophia Chan has said, as daily cases in the city dropped into single digits.

Chan, speaking at a news conference, said catering businesses would be able to operate until 10pm, from 6pm now. Beauty salons, theme parks, cinemas and sports facilities would be allowed to resume, with conditions in place.

“We see there is room to gradually loosen social distancing measures,” she said, adding that swimming pools, nightclubs and mahjong parlours would remain shut. A ban on gatherings of more than two people in public places also remains in place.