As daily Covid-19 infections continue to decline, one may think the city’s ongoing fifth wave will simply fade away. But if previous battles are any reference, victory may only follow from the vigorous enforcement of social-distancing and health-control regulations. That is why various measures are being tightened or revived so the pandemic may further stabilise and enable the relaxation of restrictions in the coming months as planned. The return of notification warnings via the risk-exposure app “Leave Home Safe” is in line with that strategy. Starting from this week, users will be alerted again when they have been to high-risk premises. Compulsory test notices will also be issued once more, according to health minister Sophia Chan Siu-chee. The arrangements were suspended earlier because the exponential surge in infections made testing and alerts impractical. Now that the situation has somewhat eased, the revival of notification alerts and testing makes sense. But concerns remain as to whether authorities will proactively ensure people comply with those requirements. Earlier, the government decided to advance the deadline for receiving booster jabs as part of the vaccine pass scheme to enter restaurants, supermarkets, shopping malls and other venues. Similar steps were introduced for civil servants on Tuesday. The plethora of rules for children, adults and recovered patients with different numbers of vaccinations may be confusing, but they are based on scientific assessment of relevant health risks. No one should be under the impression that the government can just sit back and wait for the coronavirus to disappear. The road map to end most of the restrictions by summer hinges on our ability to guard against a resurgence of infections. Hongkongers abroad rush to book flights with travel rules to be eased The risk-exposure app and the vaccine pass have proved to be effective tools in fighting the virus. The city is at a critical juncture. Sooner or later, there needs to be a more comprehensive and forward-looking exit strategy. Be it “dynamic zero” or “living with Covid”, lying flat has never been an option. The city must fully observe restrictions in the meantime before it is safe enough to relax them.