Hong Kong - Three years after mainland China placed stringent closures on its border with Hong Kong amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the two countries have finally agreed to reopen it.

The new order, announced by Hong Kong's leader John Lee during a press conference on Thursday per CNN, will allow a daily quota of up to 60,000 Hong Kong residents being able to cross the border into the mainland.

The move will get rid of a rule that all travelers from the region must undergo mandatory quarantine. Now, Hong Kong residents will be required to present a negative PCR Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours before crossing.

The new policies will officially go into effect on Sunday, the same day many airline travel restrictions are also being lifted.

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According to Bloomberg, the reopening of the border is expected to be gradual, and some entry points, including Lo Wu, will remain closed for now.

The border closed early in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, placing stress on residents, commuters, and businesses in both places.

Massive protests against staunch Covid-19 restrictions have erupted in cities across China recently, putting pressure on the government to finally make changes to their zero-Covid policy.

Proponents of the new policy say that China and Hong Kong can begin to revive themselves from slumping economic growth.