The Chinese government announced on Thursday that it will reopen its border with Hong Kong after nearly three years of shutdown in order to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Starting on 8 January, up to 60,000 Hong Kong residents will be able to cross the border into the mainland as a gradual reopening of border control points begins.
Hong Kong leader John Lee told the media that all travelers will be required to test negative for Covid via a PCR test within 48 hours of crossing, and passenger quotas apply to travel in both directions. Besides testing, advance bookings will also be required for some travel.
The announcement comes amid Beijing’s sudden dismantling of its stifling Covid controls, following nationwide protests.
According to a statement from China’s State Council, flights from Hong Kong and neighboring Macau to mainland China will resume and caps on passenger capacities will be lifted; the number of flights will increase in a “phased and orderly” fashion, the statement read.
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