Hong Kong scraps almost all COVID-19 measures; Border with Mainland to reopen on or before 15 January

HONG KONG, CHINA. In a massive fillip for the travel retail sector, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced this afternoon that the Special Adminstrative Region will scrap almost all COVID-19 measures from tomorrow (29 December). Mandatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for inbound travellers, including those from Mainland China, Taiwan and Macau, are being scrapped.

Inbound travellers only need to conduct a daily RAT for five consecutive days.

The vaccine pass scheme and quarantine requirements for close contacts will also become a thing of the past though a mask mandate will stay in place, Lee told a media conference. Those entering Hong Kong will only need to present negative results from PCR or Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) conducted within 48 or 24 hours respectively of arrival.

Lee also revealed his intention for Hong Kong’s long-awaited reopening of its border with Mainland China to happen on or before 15 January. The move is pending  approval from Beijing.  He said the authorities wished to reopen land, air and sea checkpoints on a phased basis.

“About 2.5 million people have been infected and [when the vaccination rate reaches] 94 per cent, the pandemic risks are controllable,” the Chief Executive said in remarks quoted by the South China Morning Post. “We will not return to the old road.”

{JCDecaux Transport Hong Kong reacts swiftly to the news}

Issuing of Hong Kong visas for Mainlanders to start soon

In related news, China’s National Immigration Administration has announced it will begin issuing tourist and business visas from 8 January so Chinese nationals can enter Hong Kong.

The easing of restrictions applies in both directions. The South China Morning Post reported the current 3,500-quota system for Hongkongers heading to the Mainland would go “offline” on the same day, in preparation for a gradual border reopening according to a local government source.

The various developments are a further boost for the travel retail community following the 27 December announcement by China’s National Health Commission (NHC) that outbound travel will return “in an orderly manner” in 2023. The NHC also unveiled a sweeping relaxation of inbound COVID-related travel restrictions, effective 8 January.

In other good news, the Macau government relaxed its COVID-related entry restrictions from Friday 23 December. As reported, this has led to cross-border transport companies preparing to resume service between the two Special Administrative Regions of Macau and Hong Kong. ✈