The SUN HK : HK reveals deal for resuming travel to mainland from Sunday

By The SUN

Security Bureau staff conduct a drill at Man Kam To in preparation for Sunday's border reopening

At least 60,000 people will be allowed to travel to the mainland from Hong Kong each day starting Sunday, without having to undergo quarantine, with the same number of travelers being allowed to enter from the opposite direction.

The daily traffic could easily double, as prior registration is not required for people returning home on either side of the border, and mainland students who need to cross over to Hong Kong daily to attend classes.

The details of the much-anticipated reopening of China’s border were disclosed at a press conference on Thursday afternoon led by Chief Executive John Lee.

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“We are almost at 100 percent normality,” said CE Lee. “We are just one step away from pre-pandemic levels.”

He said the only thing left is the mask mandate, and the quarantine order for infected patients.

Under the scheme, 35,000 HK residents will be able to travel to the mainland daily by rail via Lok Ma Chau Station; 10,000 through Shenzhen Bay Port; and 5,000 via the Man Kam To checkpoint, after first making bookings online.

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An additional 10,000 people are expected to cross the border by air (through Hong Kong International Airport), sea (HK-Macau Ferry Terminal and China Ferry Terminal), and through the HK-Zhuhai-Macau bridge.

The number includes the 1,000 daily quota set for those who will travel by private cars and cross-boundary hire cars via the HK-Zhuhai-Macau bridge.

The numbers could significantly increase when the high-speed West Rail line resumes service on January 15.

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CE Lee said the authorities on both sides of the border will review how the initial re-opening plan goes before deciding when to increase the quota.

Simulated crowd control at the Shenzhen Bay Port

Earlier, Beijing authorities announced that all travelers to the mainland will have to present a negative result for a PCR test conducted up to 48 hours before their border crossing.

Anyone found to have a fever or who declares a relevant health problem will be tested again for Covid on arrival at the border.

People found to be infected will be told to isolate if they are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, while more seriously ill people should be sent for medical treatment.

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At the press conference, Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau said people returning to Hong Kong from the mainland will also need to take a PCR test in advance, but once they are allowed in would only be advised to do rapid tests for the first five days.

Lee downplayed concerns that Hong Kong’s healthcare system could be overstretched with the re-opening of the border with the mainland.

"Even though we have a high number of cases recently, we have already passed the top of this wave," he said.

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"The medical service, having been able to cope even when this wave has reached its climax, gives me the confidence that we will be able to continue to run the public health service efficiently and effectively."

Health authorities on Thursday reported 18,422 new Covid-19 cases, a marked decrease from the more than 29,000 infections reported on December 31. But the day’s related death tally remained significant at 68.

A total of 5,157 patients who tested positive for Covid-19 are being treated in various public hospitals. Among them, 206 patients are listed in critical condition and 259 are seriously ill.

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Meanwhile, more than 250,000 people have already signed up to cross the border via land crossing on an online booking platform set up only on Thursday night, said the government.

The online booking system initially allows travelers to reserve slots from Jan 8 to Mar 4, and a new seven-day time slot will be made available every Sunday.

The daily quota will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, and each traveler can reserve spots for up to three other companions.

Applicants will have to enter their HKID card number and personal details, and then pick a slot and their border crossing preference.

Successful applicants will receive a QR code that they have to show when crossing the border at the time reserved, along with a negative PCR test result.

For those entering Hong Kong, the same booking requirement applies to mainland residents who must reserve their spot through a system operated by the Shenzhen government.

Returning Hong Kong residents need not make a booking to re-enter.