South Korea's health authorities said on Tuesday it will impose mandatory Covid-19 tests on travellers from Hong Kong and Macau after Beijing's decision to lift zero-Covid policies.

Effective January 7, travellers from Hong Kong and Macau would be required to submit a negative result from a PCR test, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

The decision comes after South Korea announced it will require travellers from China to take Covid tests before departure and upon arrival in South Korea, joining the United States, Japan and other countries in taking new border measures amid concerns over a new wave of infections and mutations.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan said the SAR has asked those governments to withdraw the mandatory testing requirements for Hong Kong travellers.

Writing on his social media, Chan described the measures are "unnecessary" and "inappropriate".

Chan said the SAR government has written to various consuls-general to express its concern. (RTHK/Reuters)
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Last updated: 2023-01-03 HKT 17:14