What’s new: Starting Sunday, travelers from Hong Kong will no longer have to go through quarantine upon arrival on the Chinese mainland, the central government announced Thursday.
People arriving from Hong Kong will be allowed into the mainland as long as they appear healthy and have a negative PCR test result from the past 48 hours, according to a statement from the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council.
Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 such as fever will have to take a rapid antigen test at the border, according to the statement, which was published by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office.
The statement also said that anyone who tests positive with mild or no symptoms will be allowed to isolate at home, and suggested that anyone with a serious case should go to a hospital. However, the statement was unclear about whether such travelers would be allowed to do so at their mainland destination or would be sent back to Hong Kong.
The central government will also gradually increase the number of flights allowed to fly between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, the statement said, though passengers will be required to wear masks on the plane.
The background: In late December, China announced it would end the quarantine requirement for inbound travelers and remove restrictions on international flights, starting from Jan. 8.
The National Immigration Administration said last week it would resume issuing tourist and business visas for mainland residents visiting Hong Kong, and begin reopening sea and land border crossings.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
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