Macau’s Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng says he is hopeful gaming operators can maintain their patience over the COVID-19 border restrictions that have crippled the industry, suggesting “good news” is on its way.
Ho was in attendance at the Macao International Dragon Boat Races on Thursday, where he told media he hoped border restrictions between mainland China and Macau would be eased in July.
“Gaming operators have supported us for half a year and have made great contributions to Macau,” he said. “If they can persist, I think good news will come very soon.”
Explaining that Macau has been actively pushing to ease border restrictions with both Guangdong Province and Hong Kong, Ho said officials have asked Zhuhai to increase the daily quota for Macau residents to cross into mainland China without undergoing mandatory quarantine.
He also confirmed he has been fighting to join the initial travel bubble currently being discussed by Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. As reported by Inside Asian Gaming this week, Hong Kong is looking to establish a pilot scheme with Guangdong Province that would include mutual recognition of virus tests and border exemptions for qualified people.
“We have had many interactions with Hong Kong,” Ho said. “Hong Kong has also helped us a lot in coordination work. We hope to join the pilot scheme and we’ve never stopped communicating with Hong Kong.”
