China announced on Friday that it would fully reopen its borders with Hong Kong and Macao on Monday February 6, after a long isolation due to the pandemic, putting an end to daily traveler quotas and the obligation of Covid tests.
All remaining restrictions will be lifted from Monday midnight (local time) and tour packages may resume, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said.
“Zero Covid” policy
China's two special administrative regions have complied with Beijing's "
zero Covid
" policy for nearly three years, at the cost of family separations, a halt to tourism and a severe blow to businesses.
Cross-border travel between Hong Kong and mainland China resumed in January after Beijing suddenly abandoned its isolation strategy.
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Initially, 60,000 people were then authorized to cross the border daily in each direction in exchange for a negative PCR test.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said on Friday that the partial reopening had taken place "
in an orderly, safe and smooth manner
".
The maximum quota of 60,000 travelers will be lifted on Monday February 6.
And unvaccinated people arriving from overseas will now be allowed to enter Hong Kong, but "
we will maintain the screening requirement for (them) for a period of observation to ensure that the risks are manageable
", said John Lee.
Economic consequences
The long separation between Hong Kong and mainland China, the most important source of Hong Kong's growth, has had serious consequences, with some experts estimating losses for the Asian financial center at 27 billion dollars (24.8 billion euros).
Mainland Chinese have long constituted the bulk of visitors to Hong Kong: there were 51 million in 2018, nearly seven times the territory's population.
Hong Kong authorities are hoping for an influx of visitors that could help revitalize the recession-hit city's economy, injecting cash into its tourism and trade sectors.
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The head of the Hong Kong government announced on Thursday February 1 the launch of a promotional campaign to attract foreign tourists, promising more than half a million free plane tickets and that there would be "
neither isolation, no quarantine, no restrictions
”.
The outdoor mask requirement remains in effect in Hong Kong, although John Lee said it could be lifted after the seasonal flu outbreak.