so. Lee did not consult the Command and Coordination Group that he earlier created, before making the decision. David Hui Shu-cheong, a member of the group, said that the group had not met for months, and that the sudden relaxation of restrictions could add pressure to the local healthcare system. On 28 December 2022, after dropping some pandemic restrictions, Lee said that "In fact, I think society as a whole is preparing because I have been hearing a lot of voices saying this is the thing to be done." In January 2023, Lee said that he opposed an independent investigation into the government's handling of the pandemic, an idea supported by health experts. Lee noted that Singapore had around 1,700 deaths from the virus, much fewer than Hong Kong's approximately 13,000 deaths. In February 2023, when asked on why mainland Chinese no longer had to take PCR tests when coming to Hong Kong, despite accounting for most of the imported cases in the city, Lee said "We have imported cases, but the overall risk is manageable." In February 2023, Lee twice said there were "no restrictions" with COVID-19, despite the city having a mandatory mask mandate. In mid-February, when asked when the mask mandate would end, Lee said he would get advice from "relevant people." Mainland China border Lee has met with mainland Chinese authorities multiple times to discuss COVID-19 and reopening the Hong Kong - mainland China border without quarantine, both as Chief Secretary and Chief Executive. In September 2021, he led a delegation to Shenzhen for a meeting. He did so again in November 2021, and again in February 2022. In August 2022, Lee said that he has had "good dialogue" on fully reopening the border, without providing an estimate on when the border would be opened. In August 2022, Lee was scheduled for another meeting with authorities in mainland China, but did not elaborate on the reopening plan or timetable, saying that "It is better to announce the details when we have reached a certain stage of agreement, otherwise the information will be confusing." Lee cancelled his physical trip on 31 August 2022 and opted for a videoconference instead, and said "We will discuss the cross-border arrangement for residents in Hong Kong and mainland China and I hope that, after thorough discussion, a consensus can be reached." Lee also said "Of course, during our discussion, we will