The Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of The State Council issued a notice on Measures to optimize personnel exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao on Friday, which will take effect on Jan 8.

The main points are as follows:

1. remote detection

People entering Hong Kong should submit a negative nucleic acid test result of COVID-19 48 hours before departure to the Customs for health declaration.

People entering China from Macao who have no history of travel to foreign countries or other overseas regions within 7 days are not required to enter China with a negative nucleic acid test result of COVID-19 infection.

2. Entry quarantine

No more nucleic acid testing for all arrivals from Hong Kong:

Those with normal health declaration and no abnormal customs quarantine can be released into the community.

Persons with abnormal health declaration or fever and other symptoms shall be subject to antigen detection by the Customs. If the results are positive, asymptomatic infected persons without serious underlying diseases or mild cases can take home, residential isolation or self-care. In other cases, it is recommended to go to a medical institution for diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. If the result is negative, the customs shall conduct routine quarantine inspection in accordance with the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law of the People's Republic of China and other laws and regulations.

Quarantine measures for people entering Macao will remain unchanged.

3. Passenger flights between the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macao

Resume transfer/transit services to the Mainland at Hong Kong and Macao International Airports.

We will lift passenger load restrictions on flights from Hong Kong and Macao to and from the mainland, and gradually increase the number of flights in an orderly manner.

We will simplify the handling process of inbound flights and improve airport operation efficiency.

We will strengthen the capacity of key cities to receive flights.

Airlines continue to prevent disease on board, and passengers are required to wear masks when flying.

4. endorsement processing

Visas for mainland residents visiting Hong Kong for tourism and business will resume.

5. Port operation

Land and water passenger transport between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao will be resumed gradually and in an orderly manner to facilitate speedy customs clearance for entry-exit personnel.

6. Entry-exit Tourism

Travel to Hong Kong and Macao by mainland residents will be resumed in an orderly manner in light of the epidemic situation in the two regions and their ability to provide services.