Hong Kong, Sep 8 (IANS): Hong Kong authorities announced on Tuesday the further relaxation of social distancing measures as the city has witnessed a plunge in the number of new Covid-19 cases.

Starting from Friday, the cap on group gatherings will be loosened to four people from two for seven days, Xinhua news agency quoted Sophia Chan, the secretary for food and health, as saying said at a press briefing.

The number of diners allowed to sit together at restaurants will also be raised to four, she said.

Some entertainment venues including mahjong parlours and game centres will also reopen from Friday.

However, high-risk premises, including nightclubs and swimming pools, will temporarily remain shut, but the government will reopen them in the next phase unless the pandemic situation reverses, Chan said.

The Covid-19 spread has slowed down significantly in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong reported 11 new cases on Monday.

Only 16 positive cases were found through a universal community testing program launched a week ago.

So far, about 1.2 million people have participated in the program.

Also at the press conference, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau said Hong Kong is in discussion with 11 countries to launch travel bubbles, including Germany, Japan and Thailand, and suggested the use of health codes to facilitate the travel opening-up.

As of Tuesday, the number of coronavirus cases in Hong Kong stood at 4,890, with 98 deaths.