Hongkongers are yearning for an easing in social distancing and other Covid-19 restrictions. The news of no local cases over the weekend , the first time in more than four months, has resulted in a further relaxation of measures. Whether the trend continues remains to be seen, but it is certainly not the time for the city to lower its guard, especially with the Easter holiday approaching. Hong Kong exploring ways to incentivise coronavirus vaccine take-up: pandemic adviser Adjustments announced by the government yesterday may be seen as reward for months of collective suffering. Apart from pushing for travel bubbles and waiving compulsory tests for some industries as incentives to speed up mass vaccination, residents may return from more mainland provinces without undergoing quarantine. Those who have been stranded in Britain as a result of a travel ban since December will be allowed back with restrictions , while the 21-day quarantine for returnees from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore will be cut to 14 days. Social-distancing curbs will also be eased at cinemas, theme parks, swimming pools, beaches and religious gatherings. That such moves should only be considered when the epidemic is under control has long been the consensus. The recent downward trend has given the government some ground to tweak the rules, but a newly confirmed case of no apparent origin involving a local university student highlights how the situation may change. A resurgence in cases owing to being too hasty in relaxing restrictions is a phenomenon we have become all too familiar with. Examples that spring immediately to mind are the major clusters traced to dance studios and gyms during the fourth wave of the Covid-19 outbreak. That is why remaining restrictions have been extended for two more weeks. After all, over the weekend people were seen flouting social-distancing rules while enjoying themselves on beaches, in the countryside and at the West Kowloon Cultural District. The coming long weekend will again put the city to the test. Findings in BioNTech vaccine packaging inquiry could come next week: minister Few could have imagined that restrictions triggered by an escalating second wave of the outbreak this time last year would still be in place today. Subsequent adjustments under the so-called suppress and lift strategy, while giving people and businesses some much-needed breathing space, have also led to wider outbreaks. With the fourth wave now appearing under control and the promise of a quick resumption of BioNTech vaccinations – halted since last week because of packaging defects – there is greater room for optimism. But whether this ray of hope will continue to brighten up the future hinges on not only prudent policy adjustments, but also people’s vigilance and perseverance. Until zero infections are here to stay, the struggle is far from over.