Chinese authorities have confirmed that Hong Kong and Macao residents living on the mainland are now included in the country's vaccination program, which means people from both special administrative regions are now eligible to get COVID-19 jabs free of charge on a voluntary basis on the mainland and will receive the same treatment as mainland residents.

To qualify, residents from Hong Kong and Macao must provide either mainland residential permits issued by the public security bureau or proof of a medical insurance scheme. Those not included in the scheme can also pay for their vaccinations.

Simons Ho, a Beijing resident from Hong Kong, said he immediately contacted his neighborhood committee after seeing the notice, and the staff thoroughly explained to him how to get vaccinated.

Met Li also spoke highly of the process, as it took him a very short period of time to get the jab, and after half an hour's rest without any adverse reactions, he was free to leave. Besides, soon after the shot, the vaccination records were uploaded onto his health code, known as "Jiankangbao" in Chinese.

Ho and Li think people who are eligible to receive the vaccine should get inoculated at this stage as much out of responsibility as necessity.

Ho believes that the Chinese mainland has done an excellent job in terms of epidemic prevention and control, but if herd immunity is the end goal, getting vaccinated is then very important. He thinks everybody should do their part for the nation.

The view was shared by Li, who said getting inoculated is a civic duty. He added that as time passes by, the chances are getting bigger and bigger that cross-border mobility will resume, and herd immunity could very well keep the epidemic under control under these circumstances.

Due to border crossing closures, many Hong Kong residents living in the mainland haven't returned to their home for more than a year.

The Hong Kong government is now extending an existing travel arrangement that allows its residents and those in Guangdong Province to return to the city without any quarantine restrictions.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Monday said the plan would be extended for all residents of the Chinese mainland, starting from May 1. And many of those who are currently on the mainland are hoping that once they get vaccinated, they'll be able to go back home more freely, and in a more seamless manner.