The Hong Kong government announced the closure of all ports connecting to Shenzhen except the Shenzhen Bay Port last year—and these rules are still in place. Passengers passing through this port are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Nucleic acid testing at both sides of the border is also made compulsory pre and post-departure.
Such restrictions have made travel between the two places very difficult.
The end of March 2021 will mark one year to the closure of all ports except Shenzhen bay. Seven of the eight Hong Kong-Shenzhen ports are in the state of indefinite closure, while the footfall at Shenzhen Bay has also sharply reduced, reaching only 20% of that in the past according to a shopkeeper.
In the face of the ever-changing pandemic situation, the government has currently implemented these restrictions until September 30. The situation then will determine the future of this cross-border travel.
When will residents of Shenzhen and Hong Kong be able to pass through the customs without undergoing such quarantine and test procedures? The question remains unanswered.
Story by Lily Chan
Featured image by @A China is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0