Hong Kong is set to reopen its border with mainland China on Sunday, allowing tens of thousands of people to travel between both sides each day without having to go through quarantine. The announcement was made by Hong Kong's leader on Thursday, marking the end of the city's almost three-year-long closure of its land and sea border checkpoints with the mainland. This closure was part of China's "zero-COVID" strategy, which has been implemented to restrict entry to the country, isolate infected people and lock down areas with outbreaks. The reopening of the border is expected to bring a much-needed boost to the economy of both sides of the border. The move is expected to help revive the tourism industry, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic. It is also expected to help strengthen economic ties between the two sides, as well as facilitate the exchange of goods and services. The quarantine-free travel arrangement will be subject to certain restrictions, including the need for travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test result and to undergo a health check upon arrival. The travelers will also be required to provide contact details and health information to the authorities. The reopening of the border is seen as a major step towards normalizing relations between the two sides. It is expected to bring a sense of relief to many people who have been separated from their families and friends due to the pandemic.