China will reopen the border to visitors from its special administrative region of Hong Kong for the first time after almost three years of strict border controls.
From January 8, 2023, residents of Hong Kong aiming to travel to China will no longer be subject to PCR testing and will not need to quarantine, according to a statement issued by China’s State Council statement, seen by Al Jazeera on January 5, 2023.
However, visitors still will be asked to provide a negative test result taken within 48 hours of departure and fill in a health declaration.
In addition, the Chinese government will also resume the issue of business and travel visas for mainland travelers to visit Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, travelers arriving in China from Macau will not need to present negative test results as long as they have no foreign travel history in the seven days before they enter China.
Following the border reopening, local air carriers plan to increase passenger flights to both Hong Kong and Macau.