For almost one year and a half, China applied a COVID-19 prevention rule at ports - as well as factories - that kept workers in a closed loop between their work sites and their dorms during their usually weeklong shifts. This management system required workers to sleep, live and work in isolation to prevent virus transmission. This rule will come to an end at the country’s ports on 8 January, reported local media. Frontline workers and stevedores will no longer be isolated during their shifts, and seafarers with no health issues will be allowed shore access without the need to quarantine. “China will adjust the cargo-only policy at ports of entry and gradually resume entry and exit of passengers by land and water and provide greater convenience for Chinese and foreign crew change in China,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Tuesday. "Those with no issues to report in their health declaration who have been given regular customs inspection and quarantine clearance can enter China without being subject to quarantine,” added the spokesperson. However, there are concerns that the new procedures, or the lack thereof, could worsen the health situation in port cities. Shippers have already reported delays in trucking services due to a shortage of drivers. In addition, data provider Linerlytica said the ports of Shanghai, Ningbo and Qingdao witnessed increased congestion last week and expected the situation to remain elevated over the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the Chinese government announced its plan to reopen its borders with Hong Kong by latest 15 January. Earlier Chinese authorities started a new arrangement for the movement of goods between Guangdong province and neighbouring Hong Kong that allows cross-border truck drivers to pick up or deliver goods directly point-to-point.