No more PCR tests at border for Hong Kong travellers to mainland China, only 48 hours before departure
- Same arrangement confirmed for mainlanders entering the city under new measures announced by city leader on Thursday
- RAT results obtained 24 hours before entry into city for mainlanders will not be accepted
Hong Kong travellers entering mainland China would no longer be required to undergo on-site polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests as long as they obtain a negative result within 48 hours before departure, central authorities announced on Thursday.
According to the notice issued by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, immigration officers will only test those with fever or “abnormal” health declarations while crossing the border, and travellers testing positive with mild symptoms can choose to self-isolate at home or on other premises.
A government source separately told the Post mainland travellers entering Hong Kong following the reopening of the border would also be required to show a negative PCR result obtained within 48 hours before departure. The 24-hour rapid antigen test result, currently allowed, will no longer be accepted.
The new developments were revealed hours ahead of a Hong Kong government press conference to be led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in which he is expected to roll out concrete details of the city’s gradual relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions with the mainland.
The Post earlier learned Hong Kong would reopen two immigration checkpoints in the New Territories as early as this Sunday in the first stage of its gradual relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions with mainland China.