Hong Kong, Jun 15 (IANS): Hong Kong health authorities could further relax rules on public gatherings to allow groups of up to 12 people to meet as early as the end of this week, sources said on Monday, as the city has not recorded new COVID-19 cases.

Existing measures, which limit public gatherings to eight people, are set to expire on Thursday, reports the South China Morning Post.

The city's tally of confirmed coronavirus cases remains at 1,109, with four related deaths.

However, the Food and Health Bureau had yet to make a final decision on the public-gathering limits after meeting public health experts who suggested easing the rule, the sources added.

Social-distancing curbs were previously relaxed for religious gatherings.

Authorities have gradually been relaxing infection-control measures, previously increasing the limit on groups from four to eight in early May.

Eight types of establishments including bars and pubs were allowed to reopen after more than a month of closures although rules must be followed such as taking the temperature of customers, requiring them to wear a mask and providing hand sanitizer.

Restaurants and premises such as beauty parlours have to keep customers 1.5 metres apart or install partitions to minimize the risks of contagion, while pubs can only seat four to a table.