Checkpoint COVID tests for HK travelers leaving for mainland, Macao scrapped

Travelers leaving Hong Kong for the Chinese mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region will no longer be required to take a mandatory nucleic acid test at the checkpoints from Wednesday, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said on Tuesday.

But, they will still need to produce a COVID-19 negative test result 48 hours before their departure.

The moves were among a series of new adjustments announced on Tuesday as the HKSAR further eased its anti-pandemic restrictions.

Arrangements for virus tests in Hong Kong have also been adjusted. The government will gradually reduce compulsory testing operations at residential buildings, and distribute more rapid antigen test packs to the community instead.

Regular nucleic acid or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests for most targeted groups, except high-risk groups, such as those working in hospitals and care homes, will be replaced by regular rapid antigen tests. The daily RAT requirement for students will be maintained.

People under home quarantine will no longer have to wear an electronic wristband as it's not cost-effective, Lo said. The government will continue to send them anti-pandemic supplies and randomly check if they've left the premises.