China lifts border curbs after three long years

After three long years, Chinese are finally able to travel in and out of their country without facing draconian restrictions. China's self-imposed isolation hurt economic growth and stirred a public backlash. This prompted Beijing to abruptly drop its zero-COVID policy in December, and join the rest of the world that has decided to coexist with the virus. From Sunday, people flying into China will be allowed to go straight at home, or visit restaurants and other venues for the first time since March 2020. Scores of people were due to cross the Hong Kong-Shenzhen border on the day without mandatory testing or quarantine. The border reopening with Hong Kong will be done "gradually and orderly," according to China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office. Authorities will allow more flights from Hong Kong to mainland China and lift caps on passenger totals. PCR testing after crossing into Shenzhen is no longer required for the 60,000 people allowed to travel between Hong Kong and mainland China each day. A system will be implemented from Jan. 8 to March 4 for people to book a border-crossing time slot for the seven entry points. More than 250,000 people have registered to travel in the coming weeks. Those entering the mainland from Hong Kong are required to have a negative PCR test result within 48 hours of departure. The Hong Kong government said it aims to resume high-speed rail by Jan. 15 after a nearly three-year hiatus. Some Hong Kong residents are waiting for the Lunar New Year to return to the mainland to see relatives. Hong Kong residents have been rushing to get foreign mRNA jabs in anticipation of travelers inoculated with Chinese vaccines pouring into the city. Mainland Chinese residents have flocked to Macao to get vaccinated with BioNTech vaccines, which are perceived to be more effective than domestically produced versions available on the mainland.<br/>