SZ releases notice for returning HK residents

A NOTICE for Hong Kong residents who will return to Hong Kong through Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint under the “Return2hk” travel program was released by the Shenzhen Municipal Office of Port of Entry and Exit on Sunday.

The notice reminds Hong Kong residents to pay attention to several key necessities when planning to cross the border through Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint.

The checkpoint will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, a further notice will be given if any change takes place.

The outbound process for Hong Kong residents who have applied for the program has been posted at the checkpoint. These travelers are required to handle the outbound business and receive a health inspection at the designated passages.

Travelers need to prepare the required documents for the travel program, including green codes, valid nucleic acid test reports and proof of application to the quota and date. Border staff will check the documents at the checkpoint.

A list of the required documents can be reviewed on the official “Return2hk” travel program website of the Hong Kong government: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/return2hk-scheme.html.

Travelers who have finished the outbound business in Shenzhen, but fail to enter Hong Kong for being disqualified from the “Return2hk” travel program will be sent back to Shenzhen. A 14-day quarantine in Shenzhen will be arranged.

Travelers who have entered Hong Kong, but change their plans to come back to Shenzhen, will have a 14-day quarantine arranged in Shenzhen only if they have a negative nucleic acid test result within 24 hours. Otherwise, they will not be allowed to return to Shenzhen.

Hong Kong residents who have applied for the travel program can drive a private car with both Hong Kong and mainland license plates to Hong Kong. Drivers and passengers are all required to prepare the valid documents.

The “Return2hk” travel program was launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government yesterday, which allows Hong Kong residents returning from neighboring Guangdong Province or the Macao SAR to be exempted from a 14-day quarantine by meeting certain requirements.

Under the program, returning Hong Kong residents from Guangdong or Macao need to apply for a specific quota and meet certain requirements to skip the mandatory quarantine, including possession of proof of a valid negative nucleic acid test result issued by recognized institutions upon arrival in Hong Kong.