While Hong Kong takes a big step towards reopening its borders, the Chief Executive of Macau, Ho Iat Seng, has already gone public saying that the quarantine is to maintain. They are distinct regions, with their own market dependencies and health systems. It is in this sense that Ron Lam, a member of the Legislative Assembly (AL) of Macau, and Jacky Cheong, a virologist, believe that Macau cannot follow Hong Kong.
The first signs of the end of the pandemic are beginning to appear in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, stated that “there will be no going backwards” and, consequently, announced the 0+3 policy (exemption from quarantine with three days of home self-management). Other jurisdictions, such as Japan and South Korea, are also gradually relaxing border restrictions and boosting the tourist industry. “It’s not that Hong Kong has grudgingly followed mainland China’s measures over the past three years.
It was the initial lack of control of the pandemic that led the city to adopt these policies”, reiterates Ron Lam, member of AL. The deputy considers that some of the measures included in the zero-case policy were appropriate when the pandemic emerged. Regarding the possibility of this Hong Kong step being applied to other regions of the country, he says that they do not do so because of incapacity and not because of lack of will.
INEVITABLE COEXISTENCE
Being in tune with the rest of the world requires a policy of coexistence with the virus, shoots the deputy. However, he understands that complex socio-political and economic factors are at play. Even so, he predicts that the changes could happen later this year, or at the latest early next year. It remains to be seen whether at national level the regions are prepared, taking into account the vast territory.
“The governments of some major cities on the Continent are highly capable, with good resources. This lessens the difficulties felt during the move to coexistence. Honestly, I think that Macau is not fully prepared, both at the government level and in its health system, as is the case with the crematorium that I talk about so often. Cohabitation with the virus will obviously mean a higher death toll. The resources we have, even if they are improved, will probably not respond to the needs of the population. It is still not an adequate measure,” he considers.
Jacky Cheong, moderator of the Virology Information Network, highlights the phased way in which Hong Kong or Japan is reopening. In the case of Hong Kong, the plan changes from 3+4 to 0+3; in Japan, first with the opening to conditional group travel, gradual increases in daily entry at the border, until opening completely to countries that do not require a visa.
At each stage, local governments give the community time to adapt and make the necessary resources available, he points out, adding that in both cases adjustments are made according to the capacity of the health system.
The virologist says that healthcare needs to consider the vaccination rate, especially when managing pediatric and geriatric care, as well as the ability to continue to receive critically ill patients. These measures, he says, are followed by social awareness, including what to do when a family member is infected, what the work regulations are, how to seek treatment, among others. All these decisions have an impact on the commercial operation and daily life of the population, he stresses.
NO CHOICE
Three years after the first outbreak, there is now a clear distinction between China’s zero-case policy and the coexistence adopted further to the West, such as in Portugal or the United States. Different policies also lead to different market choices. Ron Lam emphasizes that Hong Kong, unlike Macau, cannot follow the mainland’s policy and has to choose to open up to the world. In the case of Macau, he believes that intolerance to the virus is already more reasonable.
“We have a very close relationship with mainland China. About 70 percent of our tourists come from there, 20 percent from Hong Kong and 5 percent from Taiwan. If you were a government, which would you choose?”.
In addition to economic factors, the management of the city must be taken into account. The deputy points out that a large part of the local population resides on the Continent. Both workers and students cross the border daily and this is something that has to be studied. Therefore, he predicts that the closing of the border with the Interior would immediately result in several problems. He believes Macau has no choice and takes a passive position.”
However, he believes that mainland China is also in the process of changing its policy, with a great possibility of doing so in 2022. But “Macao is not yet ready to reflect a change in Covid-19 policy on the mainland”, alert.
“So our biggest concern is that something bad happens and the policy is changed.”
ENABLE REOPENING
Jacky says the recent outbreak sheds light on some of the questions about the true impact of the reopening of borders in Macau.
“First, it takes time to identify cases of infection among the community, especially for families with children. We may have to deal with outbreaks in schools and homes, meaning the way we treat those infected will be one of the factors with the most impact. Whether the person will be isolated or quarantined at home and whether those infected are unable to cross the border for a certain period of time”.
Regarding health resources, she believes that the necessary adjustments will be made.
“The latest pandemic has brought numerous challenges to healthcare services unrelated to the virus. After reopening, the number of infected will be difficult to control and Macau’s health system will certainly feel the burden. Implementing resources properly during these emergencies will be the key factor for a smooth landing in Macau,” she says.
The virologist explains that, based on the latest outbreaks, there are ways to reduce the impact of the virus: greater control and monitoring of diseases; building medical research infrastructures, such as biological sample banks to create real-time scientific data; better communication with the population on scientific terms and psychological preparation for the future.
ANIMA EXCURSIONS RETURN
Lau, a travel industry worker, says the return of group travel from Continente is great news. The agent says that due to differences between the prevention measures in Mainland China and in the rest of the world, Macau would have to align with one side. He regrets that the industry has suffered so long with the streets of Macau deserted.
But Lau and many of his colleagues are “fear that the visa process and the number of tours in Macau will not return to what it was before the pandemic, when there were more than 100 groups a day”.
“In the past, the number of tours from mainland China was enough for everyone to be able to make a living from the business. That’s why we are concerned about their number, how they will be done and by whom. With everyone wanting to organize these tours, for sure there will be competition”.
Lau points out that when it became known that Hong Kong would relax preventive measures to 0+3, flight prices rose right away, describing the situation in the neighboring region as enviable. However, “we have to follow the majority, we cannot do what we want”, he defends.
