China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) recorded 34 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, including 29 local transmissions, the Center for Health Protection (CHP) said on Monday. 

Among the new reported local cases, eight are from unknown sources, the CHP added.

As the Chinese Lunar New Year approaches, the existing social distancing measures due to expire on Thursday, including banning of dine-in services in restaurants after 6 p.m. and group gatherings of no more than two persons, will be extended for another 14 days, Chief Secretary for Administration of HKSAR government Matthew Cheung announced.

The city is also ramping up mandatory testing operations ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays with growing number of buildings, blocks and areas being put under temporary "lockdown" before all residents inside are tested. 

Four compulsory testing operations at the "restricted areas" have been conducted in the past week in Hong Kong.

HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Monday expressed gratitude for residents' cooperation and understanding. 

"Various government departments will continue to take stock of their experience for the benefit of the operations, with a view to minimizing inconvenience caused to the residents and suppressing the epidemic effectively as soon as possible, so that economic activities and people's daily lives can return to normal gradually," Lam said.

(With input from Xinhua)