There is some great news for Hongkongers wishing to reunite with families on the mainland. China is looking to drop quarantine for Hong Kong residents from January 2023. Hong Kong aims for quarantine-free travel with mainland China as early as January 8.
Hong Kong will reopen two immigration checkpoints (Lok Ma Chau spur line and Man Kam To border control point) in the first stage of gradual border relaxation. Currently, the only ways into the mainland are via Shenzhen Bay Port, the airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The new checkpoints and the existing channel can handle up to 50,000 travellers daily. The government has liaised with Guangdong and Shenzhen officials to reopen the four borders in a gradual and orderly manner.
Children under three years old must provide a negative PCR test result while entering mainland China. Community testing centres in the city now offer self-paid testing services for children. However, there is no requirement for kids under three to visit Hong Kong, including those from mainland China.
More relaxations are expected before the Lunar New Year break
The large-scale pilot programme would be enough to meet the demands of Hongkongers looking to cross the border during the festive season. However, the authorities are yet to decide on the quota. Reportedly, the allocation will be ‘much higher’ than the 2,000 to 3,000 targets in previous discussions. And while the government is all set to ease the travel rules ahead of the Lunar New Year break, visitors will still have to observe the medical surveillance period.
Given that the immigration systems remained ornamental in the last two years, a massive restoration would follow in the coming weeks leading to the Lunar New Year break.
China may drop quarantine for Hong Kong residents traveling into the mainland next month, according to local media reports https://t.co/t0q5AJgQBl
— Bloomberg (@business) December 12, 2022
The full reopening of border may take time
Visitors can expect a full reopening in the later stage once the central government is confident mainland hospitals can cope with more cases. Recently, Beijing relaxed pandemic isolation and health code rules for mainlanders. However, Hong Kong authorities are still cautious about any significant easing of restrictions given the daily infection surge.
The mainland had recently relaxed COVID-19 rules where patients with mild or no symptoms were allowed to isolate at home instead of the government facility.
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong
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