Hong Kong set to roll out more measures for residents going to mainland China, government adviser says, warning public not to cross border unless absolutely necessary

Executive councillor Dr Lam Ching-choi admits on radio show that authorities have to catch up with the situation

Figures of locals going to and returning from Shenzhen outnumber that of mainlanders

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At Lo Wu MTR station in Hong Kong, which is linked to the border checkpoint with Shenzhen. Photo: Ivan Abreu/Bloomberg

Published: 1:16pm, 2 Feb 2020Updated: 8:14pm, 2 Feb 2020

Hong Kong is set to roll out more measures for residents crossing the border to mainland China, an adviser to the government has said amid calls for drastic two-way control procedures to be put in place to stem the coronavirus outbreak.

Executive councillor Dr Lam Ching-choi, speaking on a radio programme on Sunday, agreed that the government had to catch up with the situation and roll out more prevention measures. His comments come against the backdrop of criticism that what authorities had done so far was too little, too late.

With an impending strike by various groups in the medical sector on Monday to press the government into full border closure with the mainland, Lam said he was more worried about the volume of Hongkongers crossing the border.

“If we do not reduce the number of those going north and carrying the virus back with them when they return, the risks of a local outbreak will be high,” he said, citing figures indicating some 40,000 Hongkongers had entered Shenzhen on Friday, with 70,000 returning from across the border.

Comparatively, the numbers for mainlanders were around 9,000 and 13,000 respectively on the same day.

Executive councillor Dr Lam Ching-choi. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

“Unless absolutely necessary, Hongkongers should not enter the mainland,” he said. “Hongkongers have to be prepared that more measures would be rolled out in the short term.”

After the programme, Lam doubled down on his warning, urging Hongkongers to avoid travelling to the mainland as they risked “difficulties” when returning. He added that tighter measures, including the shortening of operating times at various ports, limited transport facilities and even legislation to restrict cross-border traffic could come.