The government says people travelling via Shenzhen Bay Port to the mainland from July 15 will have to make an appointment for a PCR test at the checkpoint.

An online booking system will be available from July 14.

A government spokesman said people who have secured a room at a quarantine facility in Shenzhen can book a test for the day they plan to cross the border.

Appointment slots will cover the coming seven days and people will have to input their name, ID card number and the quarantine hotel booking number.

DAB lawmaker Edward Leung urged the authorities to increase the quota for people entering the mainland, and to open more checkpoints.

“We have too little quota right now, we only have 2,500 quota per day. So, we have to make use of the other borders, so that we can also redirect the people to other borders,” he said.

Leung also asked the government to consider allowing Hong Kong residents to take PCR tests for three consecutive days instead of getting tested at the border.