Currently, travelers to and from the mainland will have to obtain a negative PCR test result up to 48 hours before their border crossing.

It is understood that lawmakers have recently told Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki during a meeting that Hongkongers on the mainland are having difficulties undergoing the PCR test before returning to the city, as many of the testing sites were closed or have their opening hours shortened due to a change in China’s Covid policy.

The source who attended the meeting quoted Chan as saying that the SAR government is considering removing the PCR test mandate - which would also apply to those traveling to the mainland.

The “gift” could be announced as early as before the start of the Lunar New Year, the source added.

Meanwhile, sources said the community testing centers in Hong Kong could remain in the city for a certain period of time for travelers to get tested when traveling to certain places which require a negative PCR result, whereas the government still adopts a voluntary testing scheme for those who wished to get tested regularly.