China to drop all Covid restrictions, reopen borders with HK, Macau
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Beijing announces that previous limitations and requirements on border crossings with Hong Kong and Macau are to end at midnight of February 6.
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Land border crossing between China mainland and Hong Kong (Bloomberg)
China announced on Friday that it will end pandemic-related restrictions and open back its borders with Macau and Hong Kong as of next week as Beijing drops Covid testing requirements and the limited number of daily travelers following almost three years of strict regulations.
The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council stated on Friday that all remaining border-crossing restrictions will end starting February 6 at midnight.
Earlier this month, Hong Kong announced that travel across sea and land with mainland China will be restored gradually with a quota then of only 60,000 travelers per day and the requirement of a negative Covid test result.
Hong Kong announced yesterday that in efforts to welcome the world back, more than 500,000 free air tickets will be offered in an attempt to revive the country after three years of isolation.
During a speech to business and tourism heavyweights, Chief Executive John Lee said on February 2 that there will be "no isolation, no quarantine, and no restrictions," announcing half a million free flights for visitors to experience the city's "hustle and bustle."
On Friday, Lee said the gradual restoration of travel had been "orderly, safe and smooth," however, wearing masks in public places will still be mandated for now.
Beijing's zero-Covid doctrine of quarantine, closed borders, and face masks contributed to an economic recession in Hong Kong and the exodus of more than 2.5% of the population.
Last year, more than 140,000 people left Hong Kong's labor force when the economy contracted by 3.5% and over 130 international companies closed their offices during the Covid-related isolation, hitting its economy with nearly $27 billion.
Travelers from China to the region represent the majority of visitors, with almost 51 million visitors from the mainland recorded in 2018, nearly seven times its population.
Overseas visitors will be allowed to enter the city starting Monday, however, Lee noted that rapid antigen tests will be required pre-arrival.
"As the full reopening of the border with mainland China will bring a large surge in travel, to ensure risks are manageable we will keep the testing requirement for overseas travelers for a period of observation," the chief executive added.
