Hong Kong's leader announced Monday that the city would relax flight bans on nations such as the United Kingdom and the United States and shorten quarantine periods for foreigners arriving in the town as coronavirus infections in the city's newest outbreak plateau.

Carrie Lam, the city's chief executive, announced Monday that a ban on flights from nine nations — Australia, Canada, France, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States — would be lifted on April 1. Since January, authorities have imposed a flying restriction on most of these countries to contain an outbreak of the highly virulent omicron strain in Hong Kong.

Travelers entering the city may also be quarantined for as little as seven days — down from 14 days — at quarantine hotels if they test negative for the virus on the sixth and seventh days. These travelers must also be wholly vaccinated and coronavirus negative before entering the city.

Lam also announced the suspension of plans for a citywide mass-testing exercise, first proposed in February.

"Experts believe it is inappropriate for us to devote finite resources to universal mass testing," Lam explained.

"The government of the Special Administrative Region will continue to monitor the situation. When the conditions are favorable, we will consider adopting mandatory universal testing."

The modifications announced on Monday represent a sea change in Hong Kong's response to the coronavirus pandemic, as officials attempted to guide Hong Kong businesses and residents following two years of alignment with mainland China's "zero COVID" policy.

Lam stated that the revisions are part of an interim assessment of the city's policies. Various stakeholders will be consulted on any longer-term plans for public health and economic development.

"We need to pay closer attention to experts, both local and mainland," Lam stated.

"Any longer-term public health strategy must consider both factors, namely preserving Hong Kong's access to the mainland and ensuring her continued connectivity with the rest of the world."

Lam also declared on Monday that social distancing measures would remain in place. However, they will be phased out beginning April 21 if illnesses do not spike. After 6 p.m., the dining-in ban will be eased, and public gatherings will be limited to four individuals, up from two.

Other temporarily closed establishments, such as gyms and massage parlors, will be permitted to reopen as well.

On Sunday, Hong Kong reported 14,145 infections, the lowest in almost three weeks. The city reported over 50,000 cases daily during the outbreak's peak and has documented over 1 million illnesses and nearly 5,700 deaths since the outbreak began last year.