Talks for Hong Kong-China Border Reopening in Final Stages

Authorities from Hong Kong and China are reportedly nearing a final decision on travel resumption, despite a fresh outbreak on the mainland.

A second meeting is expected soon between Hong Kong and mainland China authorities to make a final decision on travel resumption, according to a report by local media «Sing Tao» citing unnamed sources.

The focus of the discussion is on whether or not Hong Kong will adopt the mainland’s health code system which classifies individuals as red, yellow or green – the latter color being the only classification cleared for travel to the mainland.

Other rules being discussed include initial quarantine-free travel and a «circuit breaker» to immediately suspend the system in the event of an emergency.

The latest update occurs in the backdrop of growing concerns from the international business community that called for Hong Kong to reopen borders to foreign countries and learn to coexist with the virus.

Chief executive Carrie Lam responded by reiterating the city’s two major priorities: reopening with mainland China and a zero-Covid policy.

Meanwhile, China, which has also adopted a zero-Covid policy stance, is reportedly experiencing its worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic with more than 600 local infections recently found in 19 out of 31 provinces.