Online reservation system for cross-border travel commences service

A reservation system that operates around-the-clock has commenced service at 6pm Thursday (Jan 5), allowing Hongkongers heading up north to make a booking for cross-border travel for up to four people as the borders between the SAR and mainland reopen after three years. 

This measure came after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced earlier the same day that the borders will finally reopen starting this coming Sunday (Jan 8), with a daily quota set at 60,000. 

The online reservation system will provide available timeslots for the coming eight weeks, and Hongkongers can only cross the borders according to the selected time, date, and border point specified in their bookings. 

Lee added that the reservations can only be made by applicants using their real names and it is impossible for scalpers to make profits out of it. 

Citizens can log into the system via government's “gov.hk” website, and each applicant can also register for three other companions in each reservation. 

There will be three timeslots available for each border points. Applicants can see the availability of the timeslots from January 8 to March 4 on the system, and starting January 15 (Sun), the available timeslots for the following week (Mar 5-11) will be shown from 9am every Sunday onwards. 

The system operates around-the-clock and the quota is allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. All applicants can only have one valid reservation at a time. 

For Hongkongers and non-mainland travelers, they can register using either the border points at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To or Shenzhen Bay for cross-border travel. 

Yet, mainland residents need not any reservation when returning to mainland. Hong Kong residents and non-mainland travelers also don't need to make a reservation when traveling from mainland to the SAR. 

Required documents for crossing the borders include applicants' identity card or cross-border certificate, a negative PCR test result valid for 48 hours, and the successful reservation they made via the online system. 

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung called on citizens to reserve more time and prepare all the required documents in advance. Still, he noted there will be flexible arrangements for citizens who are a little bit late. 

Click here to make a reservation for cross-border travel.
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