It would be the first such measures city has taken since the pandemic began last year.

Citing unnamed sources, the South China Morning Post said the new measure will target to district, which cover a small but densely populated part of the city.

Health authorities first isolated for apartment blocks in the area last Friday, stopping people from entering or leaving those buildings to make sure all residents of quarantined.

The government will only lift the lock down declaration when it is satisfied everyone in the lock down area has been tested, the paper said.

Hong Kong has so far reported far fewer infections, another major world cities and just 167 deaths.

Last week, the city extended work from home arrangements for civil servants.

Other covered restrictions include a ban on in house dining after six PM on the closure of gyms, sports venues, beauty salons and cinemas.