[8][5] Pro-establishment member of the Basic Law committee, Maria Tam, warned participants at future rallies that it would be wise to leave any demonstration if they heard others shouting slogans opposing “one-party dictatorship”.

[9] In 2020, the Hong Kong government invoked Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance, imposing a 4-person limit for public gatherings,[10] and many observers believe that the coronavirus pandemic provided cover for an increase of arrests related to the protests.

Pedestrians' identification documents were checked at security checkpoints upon entry to the square, and nationwide mass surveillance was tightened to prevent any commemoration of the event.

[16] Following the emergence of three cases of local transmission, the government extended its coronavirus social distancing measures by 14 days, to 4 June, affecting the annual vigil in Victoria Park.

Lee said that members would still be allowed to enter Victoria Park that night, but called on the public to light candles across the city and join an online gathering.

[21] The Alliance organised a long-distance running event on the preceding Sunday starting at 8.45 am, with Victoria Park as the end point; participants ran in groups of eight.

[23] Notwithstanding the recent police warning, tens of thousands gathered at Victoria Park to attend the vigil, afraid that time was running out on the anniversary in Hong Kong.

[27] On the day of the anniversary, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong passed a bill to outlaw the insulting of the Chinese national anthem, where those convicted of intentionally abusing it could face up to three years in prison and a fine of HK$50,000 ($6,450).

[28] Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho and Jimmy Lai were later told by the police to expect a court summons for incitement to illegal assembly on 4 June.

[32]In Macau, where the anniversary is remembered in a considerably more low key manner,[33] the government revoked permission to hold an annual photographic exhibition themed on the massacre in 1989, on the pretext of the "standardisation of use of public spaces", drawing criticism from democratic advocates.

[34] Hong Kong artist Loretta Lau, who is in Prague pursuing a master's degree in visual arts, held a vigil in Wenceslas Square where she presented a new work: Back to the Spring of Tiananmen.