Hong Kong will push ahead with a proposal that will allow more residents to travel to mainland China after completing a quarantine period locally, after the city’s leader secured a preliminary green light from counterparts across the border, the Post has learned.
A source confirmed that Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu held talks remotely with officials from Guangdong province and Shenzhen on Thursday morning, with Hong Kong’s leader briefing them on plans for “reverse quarantine”, under which local makeshift Covid-19 treatment facilities would be used to isolate travellers heading over the border.
“Those mainland officials preliminary agreed to the plan, and the Hong Kong government is now trying our best to solve those technical challenges,” the source said.
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Another source earlier said the administration was trying hard to clear any potential obstacles in putting the plan into effect, including how to implement the closed-loop arrangements.
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Currently, travellers who cross the border must quarantine in a mainland hotel for seven days, followed by three days of home surveillance.
Lee will meet the press later on Thursday afternoon to reveal more details.
The plan first surfaced last month when lawmakers attended an informal closed-door exchange session with government officials.
Lawmakers told the Post Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, the city’s No 2 official, had mentioned a “reverse isolation” proposal under which Hongkongers could quarantine before they crossed the border, while management and personnel in isolation centres could be organised and administered by mainland authorities.
More from South China Morning Post:
- Coronavirus: Hong Kong leader John Lee to pursue reopening of border with mainland China on Guangdong trip
- ‘Inhumane’ 13-hour Hong Kong airport ordeal for schoolboy with autism as family wait for home quarantine to be approved
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