After nearly three years of self-imposed isolation, China has finally
lifted pandemic restrictions on foreign travel and ended quarantine
requirements for inbound travellers.
The Chinese authorities have announced that starting 8 January,
travellers from Macau and Hong Kong no longer need to present negative
Covid-19 test results on arrival.
However, travellers arriving from Hong Kong to China will be required
to submit proof of a negative test result taken within 48 hours prior
to their departure.
Those flying in from Macau are not subjected to the pre-departure
tests, as long as they have not stayed in a foreign country or region
within the past seven days.
China is also set to resume transits at the Hong Kong and Macau
International Airports. The passenger cap on Hong Kong and Macau to and
from China will be gradually lifted and flight frequencies to be
increased over time.
The processing of endorsements for Chinese residents to visit Hong
Kong for leisure or business purposes will also be reinstated.
China is further facilitating the return of travellers by bringing
back land and water passenger transport for Hong Kong and Macau.
According to the announcement issued by the State Council’s 'Joint
Prevention and Control Mechanism' for Covid-19 management: "China will
resume tourism to Hong Kong and Macau in an orderly manner in light of
the epidemic situation in the two regions and their ability to provide
services."