All checkpoints to open as cross-border curbs lifted
All of Hong Kong's land crossings will be open again from February 6 to coincide with the dropping of most pandemic restrictions for cross-border travellers. Chief Executive John Lee said on Friday that the currently closed Lo Wu and Heung Yuen Wai checkpoints will reopen, vehicles will be able to go through Lok Ma Chau, and goods vehicles will be able to cross the border again at Sha Tau Kok.  Lee was speaking at a press conference hours after mainland authorities announced that the quota system for cross-border travellers will be scrapped from Monday and that the only people who will need PCR tests for Covid will be those who spent time outside Hong Kong, the mainland or Macau in the seven days before their trip over the border. The CE also said that rapid Covid tests for people travelling between Hong Kong and Macau will be dropped and the vaccination requirement for inbound visitors will be lifted, also from February 6. For the time being, visitors from places other than the mainland or Macau will still need to obtain a negative rapid test result before departing for Hong Kong. Chief Secretary Eric Chan, meanwhile, said arrangements will be made to help cross-border secondary school students return to Hong Kong for classes from February 8, and primary and kindergarten children from February 22.