Chinese travelers rush for the opportunity to enjoy the reopening
BEIJING (AP) — After two years of separation from his wife in mainland China, Hong Kong resident Cheung Seng-bun made sure he was among the first to cross the border following the reopening of crossing points Sunday.
The ability of residents of the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city to cross over is one of the most visible signs of China’s easing of border restrictions, with travelers arriving from abroad also no longer required to undergo quarantine.
“I’m hurrying to get back to her,” Cheung, lugging a heavy suitcase, told The Associated Press as he prepared to cross at Lok Ma Chau station.
Travelers crossing between Hong Kong and mainland China, however, are still required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 48 hours — a measure China has protested when imposed by other countries.
Hong Kong was severely affected by the virus and has had its land- and sea-border checkpoints with mainland China closed for nearly three years. Despite the risk of new infections, the reopening that will allow tens of thousands of people to cross each day is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Hong Kong’s tourism and retail sectors.
China’s borders are largely sealed. However, only a fraction the number of international flight arrivals at major airports has been restored. The number of international flights arriving at Beijing’s major airport is expected to increase.
China is now facing a surge in cases and hospitalizations Major cities are seeing an increase in the number of people traveling to these areas. The Lunar New Year travel rush will begin in the coming days and could lead to more people moving into the less developed areas. Although international flights are still limited, authorities expect domestic rail and flight journeys to double over last year. This will bring overall numbers closer to the holiday period of 2019 before the pandemic.
China has said the testing requirements being imposed on its travelers by foreign governments — most recently Germany and Sweden — aren’t science-based and has threatened unspecified countermeasures.
Chinese health authorities publish daily counts of severe cases, new cases and deaths. But those numbers are only official confirmed cases. very narrow definition of COVID-19-related deaths.
The government stopped forcing people to undergo mandatory testing, allowing them to have mild symptoms and then convalesce at their homes. It is now unable provide a complete picture of the latest outbreak.
Officials from the government have stated that the situation has been under control. They reject claims by the World Health Organization, among others, that it isn’t being transparent about the number or deaths and other important information about the current outbreak. the emergence of new variants.
The Health Commission issued regulations on Saturday for strengthening monitoring of viral mutations. This included testing urban wastewater. The lengthy rules called for increased data gathering from hospitals and local government health departments and stepped-up checks on “pneumonia of unknown causes.”
Criticisms have largely focused upon the harsh enforcement of regulations, which included open-ended travel restrictions, which saw people kept in their homes for weeks without access to food and medical care.
A lot of anger was expressed about the requirement that anyone testing positive for HIV or who has been in contact to such a person must be held in observation at a field hospital. Overcrowding, poor nutrition, and hygiene are all common reasons for this.
The social and economic costs eventually prompted rare street protests in Beijing and other cities, possibly influencing the Communist Party’s decision to swiftly ease the strictest measures and reprioritize growth.
A notice from five government departments was issued on Saturday stating that China will no longer bring criminal cases against those accused of violating border quarantine regulations.
The notice stated that individuals currently held in custody would be released and their seized assets returned.
Friday’s Transportation Ministry call for travelers to limit their trips and gatherings, especially if they involve pregnant women, elderly people, or children with underlying conditions.
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This report was contributed by Karmen Li, Alice Fung, Raf Wober and Raf Wober of the Associated Press from Hong Kong.