Hong Kong will drop almost all of its Covid-19 measures on December 29, following the announcement of similar moves by mainland China.

China confirmed earlier this week that it will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine starting from January 8. Travellers entering China will still have to undergo PCR testing 48 hours before departure and will be required to wear protective masks on board planes.

Until that date, arriving passengers in China must still quarantine for five days at a hotel, followed by three days at home.

Meanwhile, from December 29 arriving visitors to Hong Kong will no longer be required to take mandatory PCR tests, while the vaccine pass scheme and quarantine requirements for close contacts will also be scrapped.

Inbound travellers to Hong Kong are now only required to present negative results from PCR tests conducted within 48 hours or rapid antigen tests (RAT) within 24 hours before their flights to Hong Kong.

However, it will still be mandatory to wear face masks.

It is believed that Hong Kong is set to reopen its border with mainland China on January 10 at the earliest, with priority given to those travelling for business or for family needs.