Coronavirus: former leader CY Leung says Beijing understands Hong Kong’s need to reopen border, suggests quota of up to 50,000 visitors
- Former Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying says city should negotiate with Beijing to allow 40,000 to 50,000 travellers to cross border daily
- Officials confirm 2,004 cases on Wednesday, the most since 2,535 were recorded on April 9
Beijing understands Hong Kong’s urgent need to reconnect with mainland China and the city should seek permission for as many as 50,000 travellers to cross the border daily, an advisor has told the Post.
In an exclusive interview with the Post on Tuesday, Leung also urged Hong Kong to start considering how many spots should be allocated to different categories of travellers entering the mainland under a shorter quarantine period or an exemption from such measures.
“The central government will listen to the views [of Hong Kong people]. But apart from asking for reopening the border, should we also take a step further to think about how to allocate the quota if the reopening is carried out on a smaller scale under a more relaxed quarantine requirement?” Leung said.
“How many [places] should be allocated to those who need to visit their old family members with illnesses? How many for those working and studying on the mainland? How many for people who need to do business? We need to discuss and inform the central government.”
The mainland on Tuesday announced the biggest change to its entry rules since it closed its borders in March 2020, cutting quarantine time for overseas arrivals from 10 days to seven days at a government-run facility. Arrivals will also undergo three days of home isolation instead of the previous seven days.