First Day Of Border-reopening Was Very Smooth: Govt

Transport and Logistics Secretary Lam Sai-hung on Monday said the operation of cross-border checkpoints went very smoothly on Sunday as quarantine-free travel with the mainland resumed.

About 45,000 people had crossed the border via land checkpoints by 8pm, the government said.

On an RTHK programme, Lam noted that the further reopening of the border came on a weekend and said authorities will make necessary adjustments for weekdays.

“Yesterday was a holiday, but today is a working and school day. One of the focuses of our monitoring is how cross-border travel and commuters going to work or school will affect each other. We are in close contact with different government departments and public transport operators, and will discuss how to make improvements in various areas,” he said.

Lam said the government will also closely monitor quota bookings before and after the Lunar New Year holiday when travel is expected to surge.

Speaking on the same programme, DAB lawmaker Edward Lau urged the government to increase the quota for border crossings as soon as possible.

“If you look at the online bookings, the three to four days before Lunar New Year have been fully booked at some checkpoints. If the first week’s operation is smooth, I hope the government can increase some quota before the Lunar New Year so families can reunite,” he said.

Lau also said the government should consider allowing cross-border travellers to take rapid Covid tests to prove they are virus-free, saying not everybody can afford to pay for PCR tests.