Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung today visited the Shenzhen Bay Port to ascertain the operation of cross-boundary land transport of goods and was briefed on the rapid nucleic acid testing arrangements there.

The Transport Department has arranged for staff to conduct COVID-19 virus tests for Hong Kong cross-boundary goods vehicle (CBGV) drivers at various boundary control points since February 28.

So far over 1,200 cases tested preliminarily positive or indeterminate have been successfully intercepted from entering the Mainland at the land BCPs, significantly reducing the number of positive cases of Hong Kong CBGV drivers found in the Mainland and effectively reducing the risk of virus transmission.

Mr Lam said: "Ensuring the smooth flow of cross-boundary land transport of goods is important to the development of Hong Kong's logistics industry and the consolidation of its position as a regional logistics hub.

“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is grateful to the central government as well as the governments of Guangdong and Shenzhen for their continued care for the needs of Hong Kong.”

While implementing epidemic prevention and control measures, they have maintained the normal operation of cross-boundary land transport of goods between Guangdong and Hong Kong, actively ensuring a stable and sufficient supply of goods from the Mainland, he added.

Noting that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to implement measures to avoid a spillover of the epidemic and improve the cross-boundary land transport, the transport chief said he is grateful to the CBGV trade for its efforts in complying with the anti-epidemic measures in Guangdong and Hong Kong and its role in ensuring the stability of goods supply to Hong Kong.

The Transport & Logistics Bureau noted that with the support of the governments of Guangdong and Shenzhen, the flow of CBGVs has gradually picked up with a significant reduction of the waiting time of Hong Kong CBGV drivers entering the Mainland.

The bureau and relevant departments will continue to follow up with the Mainland authorities to resume the arrangement for CBGV drivers to drive directly to the Mainland operation points to pick up goods as soon as possible.