The Hong Kong government will reduce the COVID-19 hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals from a week to three days.

Chief Executive John Lee told reporters on Monday that the shortened duration goes into effect on Friday.

Lee stressed the new measure aims to strike a balance between minimizing the risk of coronavirus transmission and keeping Hong Kong's economy going.

The move is seen as an attempt by the government to assuage public discontent over the territory's strict restrictions, which include a ban on gatherings of five people or more. Hong Kong has aligned itself with Beijing's zero-tolerance approach to the coronavirus.