Editorial | No room for error in reopening of Hong Kong’s border with mainland China
- After three years of Covid-induced disruptions and widespread outbreaks currently on both sides, authorities have to get their plans just right
Hong Kong is pinning its hopes on reopening the border with the mainland, and understandably so. Three years of pandemic have disrupted cross-border business and social activities and dealt a heavy blow to the economy.
This is why the government is pushing ahead with the plan earlier than expected, despite ongoing outbreaks on both sides in recent days. The unsettling circumstances have made preparation for the reopening all the more challenging.
Officials have sensibly opted for a quota system in the first stage. The details have yet to be announced, but travellers from both sides are to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests before crossing the border.
Depending on the situation, the scale will be gradually expanded, according to Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, who is coordinating work to ensure a smooth resumption of quarantine-free travel with the mainland as early as Sunday.
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The allocation of the quotas is an issue of concern. One business group suggested giving citizens with urgent needs priority for an expected 25,000 to 30,000 places, while setting aside some 6,000 for companies registered with the Trade and Industry Department.
