Outbound travellers using land boundary control points will be subject to an additional rapid nucleic acid test prior to departure from Hong Kong from March 21 onward and travellers should allocate ample time for their trips.

Announcing the new testing arrangement today, the Government said it aims to further prevent the exportation of local cases and support the Mainland’s anti-epidemic efforts.

The new arrangement applies to people who are due to travel to the Mainland or Macau by the Shenzhen Bay Port or the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.

Apart from holding proof of a negative result from a self-paid nucleic acid test as per the prevailing requirements of relevant authorities, they also need to undergo a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid test at the control points prior to their departure. Only those who receive a negative result can continue their journeys.

The Government will provide the special testing service for free at the control points one hour before the opening of the passenger clearance buildings till one hour before the closure of the buildings.

The current operating hours of passenger clearance at the Shenzhen Bay and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge control points are from 10am to 10pm and from 10am to 8pm.

The rapid PCR nucleic acid test will take about one to two hours. Outbound travellers should reserve time when travelling to the control points and undergo the test on site, so that they will have sufficient time to complete their immigration clearance process after obtaining a negative test result.

The Government is exploring corresponding testing requirements for travellers bound for the Mainland at the Hong Kong International Airport and details will be announced later.