Hong Kong lorry drivers have complained of a slow start to a new arrangement for the collection and drop off of goods in mainland China. The program was designed to speed up cross-border deliveries. Some truckers complained about long waits for Covid test results on the Chinese side of the border on Monday, the first day the streamlined system went into effect.
The point-to-point arrangement allows Hong Kong truck drivers to go directly to pick-up points over the border. The new system replaced a rule, in place since March, that drivers had to pass their cargoes to mainland truckers after they crossed the border.
But drivers still needed to wait for more than an hour on the Hong Kong side for results of a coronavirus test before they could cross the border, and the problems did not end there. Because on the mainland side, there will be another Covid test, which can take another five to six hours’ wait.
Experts said it was too early to assess the economic benefits.
Source: scmp.com
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