Financial regulators and the trade have adopted measures to maintain business operations and provide necessary services while minimising the risk of infection amid the COVID-19 epidemic, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said today.

Mr Hui told lawmakers that Hong Kong's financial system has withstood crises, one after another.

The Securities & Futures Commission has asked licensed corporations about their business continuity plans and noted that some of them had already adopted contingency measures in response to the epidemic or other reasons that had prevented employees from returning to the workplace.

Specific measures include working from remote offices and relocating certain functions to different offices.

Mr Hui pointed out that the commission is pursuing a flexible approach to ensure that markets continue to function properly, while safeguarding investor interests. As of now, all trading and settlement have been orderly conducted.

He added that the commission will monitor the market closely to ensure it continues to operate efficiently and fairly amidst the extraordinary conditions that it is experiencing.