China to reopen border with Hong Kong on Sunday

China will reopen the border with Hong Kong on Sunday (8.jan.2023) for the 1st time in 3 years. The measure is taken at the same time that there is an easing of the covid-19 restrictions. According to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, John Lee, there will be a limit of 60,000 travelers organized by availability of daily tickets. The information is from the news agency Reuters.

“Entering the mainland via Hong Kong becomes a very realistic and viable choice”disse Lee. “In terms of attracting foreign investment and talent, this will have a very positive effect.”

According to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, the opening will take place in a “gradual and orderly”. A China will receive travelers without the need for quarantine, following the decision of December 26.

According to the report by Reuters, China will increase flights between the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, the country will not require negative Covid tests upon arrival in Hong Kong.

Lee said the government is expected to make a further announcement on the measures at a later date.

Travelers were able to reach the mainland via the city’s airport or via 2 checkpoints – one at Shenzhen Bay and the other at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Other border points had been closed since 2020.

On December 7, the Chinese government announced more lenient rules for isolation. The country had been adopting more restrictive measures to contain the advance of a new wave of covid after registering, at the end of November, the highest number of infections by the disease since the beginning of the pandemic.

The government of Xi Jinping suspended the “covid zero” policy in the country after a series of protests from the population. The end of the measures had an impact on the increase in contagions and caused China to face a covid outbreak. It is estimated that up to 248 million people, or 18% of the country’s inhabitants, have been infected with the new coronavirus.