Tens of thousands of people will be able to travel daily between Hong Kong and China starting Sunday, marking a major relaxation of pandemic-related measures after the border was virtually closed for almost three years.
Hong Kong and mainland China have maintained a strict “zero Covid” policy with drastic travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines that have led to a drop in visitor numbers.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said Thursday that starting Sunday, up to 50,000 Hong Kong residents can register online to cross the border via three land crossings daily.
About 10,000 more will be able to enter the mainland by sea, air or bridges without having To in advance, he added at a news conference.
A similar number of travelers will be allowed to travel to Hong Kong from the mainland without undergoing mandatory quarantine.
While these measures do not represent a full reopening, it is the biggest easing since restrictions were imposed in early 2020, which has separated families, halted tourism and suspended most business travel.
Mr Lee predicted a “very significant” impact on Hong Kong’s economy. “The year 2023 will be more fabulous and successful,” he said.
The Bureau of Hong Kong-Macao Affairs announced earlier on Thursday that the trip would proceed “gradually and in an orderly manner (again)” starting Sunday, the day Beijing is scheduled to end mandatory quarantine on arrivals from China.
People traveling to mainland China from Hong Kong are still required to present a negative test result taken within 48 hours of departure.
The bureau said earlier Thursday that Beijing plans to roll back quotas on flights from Hong Kong and Macau and resume transit flights to mainland China.
High-speed rail between Hong Kong and the mainland will resume no later than Jan. 15, authorities said.