The Jetfoil Conservation Concern Group has lobbied Hong Kong authorities to reopen the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal and the China Ferry Terminal in the neighbouring SAR.
According to the organisation, the Group has issued a written appeal to the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and the Transport and Logistics Bureau in Hong Kong, at a time when a so-called ‘reverse quarantine’ arrangement is under discussion.
Under the proposed arrangement, visitors crossing the Chinese border from Hong Kong are placed in quarantine for a certain period of time before their entry, an idea floated in as early as August.
Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, passengers travelling across the Pearl River Delta waters have almost dried up, leaving the two SARs’ ferry sectors at bay.
The group believes that the ‘reverse quarantine’ policy will fuel sea crossings if implemented.
“As the new variants of COVID-19 have shorter incubation period and less death rate, the number of quarantine days should shorten in the future hence travellers to both destinations should grow slowly and eventually back to normal in one day,” a statement from the Group read.
The organisation also said that Hong Kong’s aviation industry had been struggling to restore manpower since planes returned to the runway under the ‘0 + 3’ policy enforced in late September.
“After reopened to inbound travellers, airlines are unable to provide flights to match with the pre-COVID-19 times as they need to recruit new crews, prepare planes and facilities, thus in result surge in ticket prices. Not only does this discourage Hong Kong citizens who to travel, but this also discourage inbound travellers and transit passengers to come to visit Hong Kong,” the statement added, saying that Hong Kong’s ferry sector might be consigned to the same situation in the event of an increased passenger volume.
“It would be reasonable to assume that the same can happen when mainland China or Macau reopens. Therefore, we suggest to lift the ban on both ferry terminals and resume sea travel to mainland China and Macau.”
