• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Monday 12 May 2025
  • zh-hant 中文
  • ja 日本語
  • en English
IAG
Advertisement
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • CNMI
    • Europe
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Japan
    • Laos
    • Latin America
    • Malaysia
    • Macau
    • Nepal
    • New Zealand
    • North America
    • North Korea
    • Philippines
    • Russia
    • Singapore
    • South Korea
    • Sri Lanka
    • Thailand
    • UAE
    • Vietnam
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • 中文
No Result
View All Result
IAG
No Result
View All Result

OPINION: How long must Macau wait for the borders to open?

Jane Ka Cheng Wong by Jane Ka Cheng Wong
Fri 12 Jun 2020 at 05:47
POST-COVID5: Re-opening mood is growing. What will drive the ramp-up?
182
SHARES
4k
VIEWS
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

After weeks of anticipation, the governments of Macau and Guangdong have finally offered some small relief to certain Macau residents via exemptions from mandatory quarantine when entering mainland China via Zhuhai.

But gaming and tourism operators as well as various other business sectors in Macau have been left disappointed that this latest exemption does not include Chinese visitors. Worse, such exemptions don’t appear to be on the table any time soon.

The latest relaxations, announced on Wednesday, only allow residents to be exempted for business purposes and “special reasons”. Nevertheless, details such as the actual implementation date, daily application quotas and the standard for approval won’t be offered by the SAR government until Friday.

This is a strong signal indicating that the two governments have not yet agreed on all implementation details. Likely the Macau government decided to make the announcement anyway since it has been facing increasing pressure to be seen to be doing something to ease the economic plight of its business community and the considerable and extended inconvenience to Macau society at large.

On top of the growing depression of the local economy, the SAR government is also facing mounting complaints from the general public. The local community is far from satisfied by this latest easing which is seen as having too many limitations and complicated procedures. Of course, dining, shopping and general entertainment in Zhuhai are not the reasons for this exemption, but all were part of daily life for many Macau residents before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Macau’s NPC deputies to CPPCC members, from legislators to leaders of local associations, from significant business representatives to general netizens on social media, voices from various sectors are urging the resumption of normal border operations.

Don’t forget the previous easing, which allowed Chinese non-resident workers holding Zhuhai residential cards to cross the border without quarantine, was announced on 11 May. It took a full month for the governments of Macau and Zhuhai to slightly ease restrictions further, suggesting extreme concern and caution on their part. It also hints at another month before the the next step is announced.

The Macau government says it will reopen borders “step by step”, but the next step is expected to extend the exemption groups for more local residents rather than for more visitors, in order to respond to grumbling public opinion in Macau.

The Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, told media on Thursday that the SAR Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and security authorities had been consistently maintaining close communications and negotiations with Guangdong Province. Wong said he fully understood the public’s urges, but added “it not only depends on the two or three jurisdictions (Macau, Guangdong and Hong Kong), but mainly depends on the Central government.”

Macau has ants in its pants, but operators may need to stay patient for some time to come.

RelatedPosts

Melco prices US$750 million Senior Notes offering

Melco locking in approval to fully complete US$500 million share repurchase program

Tue 8 Apr 2025 at 06:13
Macau GGR hits new post-pandemic high of MOP$20.8 billion in October

Macquarie: Arrest of Macau casino hosts could impact Macau mass and premium mass markets in coming months

Tue 8 Apr 2025 at 06:12
Analysts puzzled as combined market cap of Macau concessionaires falls back to 2022 COVID levels

Macau’s Hong Kong-listed gaming stocks all fall by more than 10% Monday on impact of US tariffs

Mon 7 Apr 2025 at 18:55
Macau visitor arrivals up 15% month-on-month to 3.3 million in February

Around 410,000 visitors entered Macau during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday

Mon 7 Apr 2025 at 12:32
Load More
Tags: border restrictionscovid-19Guangdong ProvinceHong KongMacauquarantineWong Sio Chak
Share85Share11
Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong

Jane Ka Cheng Wong is a journalist who joined Inside Asian Gaming after working for local Macau media for many years. As part of the IAG team she covers Macau-based stories relating to politics, gaming, IRs and local associations among other topics. Jane is intrigued by unique scenarios, vibrant cultures and different people, and hopes to continue exploring new places around the world in the future.

Current Issue

Editorial – The real reason Philippines casino revenues are down

Editorial – The real reason Philippines casino revenues are down

by Ben Blaschke
Sun 30 Mar 2025 at 23:04

After enjoying a post-COVID surge in gaming revenues at its licensed casinos, the Philippines has hit a rocky patch. In...

Inside Thai IRs

Inside Thai IRs

by Andrew W Scott and Ben Blaschke
Sun 30 Mar 2025 at 22:59

No time to read this whole article? Here are the bullet points! With passage of Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill through...

Resorts World Las Vegas – Lighting up the north

Resorts World Las Vegas – Lighting up the north

by Andrew W Scott and Ben Blaschke
Sun 30 Mar 2025 at 22:52

Inside Asian Gaming recently visited Genting’s American icon Resorts World Las Vegas to take a closer look at a property...

A baccarat perspective

A baccarat perspective

by Ryan Hong-Wai Ho
Sun 30 Mar 2025 at 22:37

In the first of a two-part series, Ryan Ho explores how gaming innovations and market changes have shaped the prominence...

Evolution Asia
Aristocrat
GLI
Mindslot
Solaire
Hann
Tecnet
Nustar
Jumbo

Related Posts

Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim talks after deal sealed to acquire Australia’s Star Entertainment

Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim talks after deal sealed to acquire Australia’s Star Entertainment

by Newsdesk
Wed 9 Apr 2025 at 06:16

Star Entertainment Group confirmed Monday it had entered into a binding term sheet with US casino operator Bally’s Corp to take control of the company as part of a US$300 million (US$180 million) deal. The term sheet, comprising a multi-tranche...

China-owned contractor of Chow Tai Fook’s Baha Mar ordered to pay US$1.6 billion to original owner for “many acts of fraud”

New York appellate court dismisses China Construction America’s appeal in US$1.6 billion Baha Mar fraud case

by Ben Blaschke
Wed 9 Apr 2025 at 05:59

A New York court has dismissed an appeal by China Construction America, Inc (CCA) against a Supreme Court ruling in October requiring it to pay US$1.6 billion to the original owner of Bahamas casino resort Baha Mar for committing “many acts...

Trade union warns massively increased casino pokies tax in NSW will cost jobs

Pub baron Bruce Mathieson agrees additional AU$100 million Star investment, reduces Bally’s contribution to AU$200 million

by Ben Blaschke
Wed 9 Apr 2025 at 05:40

Star Entertainment Group’s largest individual shareholder Investment Holdings Pty Ltd has entered into a binding term sheet with US casino operator Bally’s Corp that will see it subscribe for AU$100 million (US$60 million) in convertible bonds, reducing in the process...

RWLV names former MGM executive Greg Shulman as EVP of International Marketing

RWLV names former MGM executive Greg Shulman as EVP of International Marketing

by Newsdesk
Wed 9 Apr 2025 at 05:35

Genting Group’s US flagship Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) has announced the appointment of casino industry veteran Greg Shulman as Executive Vice President of International Marketing. Continuing the property’s recent management overhaul, RWLV said Shulman will lead its international casino...



IAG

© 2005-2024
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • SUBSCRIBE FREE
  • NEWSFEED
  • MAG ARTICLES
  • VIDEO
  • OPINION
  • TAGS
  • REGIONAL
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
  • CONTRIBUTORS
  • MAGAZINES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • 中文

No Result
View All Result
  • 中文
  • Subscribe
  • Newsfeed
  • Mag Articles
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Tags
  • Regional
  • Events
  • Contributors
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • About
  • Home for G2E Asia

© 2005-2024
Inside Asian Gaming.
All rights reserved.

  • 中文
  • English