China’s border with Hong Kong will reopen on January 8 after being mainly closed for nearly three years in a bid to stop the spread of Covid, the Chinese government stated on Thursday.
The change would end the previously required quarantine for visitors from Hong Kong to the mainland, and border control stations are anticipated to open gradually.
The announced reopening occurs on the same day that China would abolish a number of Covid restrictions on flights that have been in place since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as quarantine procedures for international arrivals.
The adjustments occur as Beijing abruptly lifts its oppressive Covid regulations in response to widespread protests. After three years of self-imposed global isolation, during which efforts to reestablish regular transit with Hong Kong were repeatedly postponed, the mainland appears to be reopening.
Since early 2020, the majority of the once-bustling border crossings between Hong Kong and mainland China have been closed, putting a significant burden on the families and businesses with connections to both sides.
Arrivals from Hong Kong will no longer be subject to PCR tests, but they must still submit a negative test result obtained within 48 hours of departure, according to a statement from China’s State Council.
However, visitors from the nearby Macau do not need to show negative test results if they have not traveled abroad in the seven days before to entering the mainland.
The statement claimed that flights between Hong Kong and Macau and mainland China will restart, passenger capacity restrictions will be abolished, and the number of flights will increase in a “phased and orderly” manner.
In a “phased and methodical” way, land and sea border crossings between Macao and Hong Kong would also be reopened.
According to the announcement, China will also start providing tourist and business visas to citizens on the mainland who are visiting Hong Kong.
