The local government is striving for the resumption of the mainland’s Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) to Macau, Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong told reporters yesterday, adding that as long as Macau continues its COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the resumption was “in sight and in reach”.
Lei made the remarks after the opening ceremony of the “2nd Professional Aptitude Competition of Macau Tourism and Leisure Companies 2020” at Galaxy Macau’s JW Marriott in Cotai yesterday.
Early this year, the central government suspended the issuing of Individual Visit Scheme and package tour permits for mainlanders to travel to Hong Kong and Macau due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
When asked if the resumption of issuing the IVS permits would be possible in the third quarter, Lai replied “this is the last kilometre of the COVID-19 race”, adding that resuming the scheme for mainlanders had always been part of the plan. He said that the government had always been engaged in risk analysis and risk management to be prepared for the gradual return of tourists.
Two weeks ago, the Guangdong government announced a new measure applicable to all arrivals from Macau, except foreign nationals living in Macau, confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients, those who have been in close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients, those with a fever or any respiratory symptoms, and those who have been to a foreign country, Hong Kong or Taiwan within the 14 days prior to their intended entry into Guangdong.
The announcement stated that those who have entered Guangdong from Macau could only travel within the nine Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities in the province, namely Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Shenzhen, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan and Zhuhai, while Macau residents who work or live in Guangdong and mainlanders who have returned to the province from Macau could travel within the whole province.
The government announced on Tuesday that arrivals from Macau can now visit all of Guangdong province without quarantine. That measure also excludes foreign nationals living in Macau.
Lei stressed that the announcement two weeks ago marked the turning point of travel restrictions between Macau and the mainland. He further emphasised that people needed to “have faith”, and both the mainland and Macau needed to keep up with COVID-19 prevention and control work.
According to Lei, 80 percent of the city’s GDP comes from the service sector, while tourism is a key source of income. He pointed out that the local residents’ jobless rate has increased from 2.4 percent at the beginning of the year to 3.5 percent recently but there was no obvious wave of business closures. He also said that the government had been working on referring people who are unemployed to other potential job opportunities. Lei said he hoped that by having more tourists visiting Macau again, the city’s economy could also gradually recover.
Consumption card
Lei also told reporters that the government has already spent 10 billion patacas on alleviating residents’ burden of COVID-19.
“During the first phase of the consumption subsidy smart card, [the government] observed that restaurants and businesses did not increase their prices for their products. Instead, most shops provided discounts. This has proven that market demand is low,” Lei said.
Lei also said that residents should spend the [next] 5,000 patacas wisely, compare prices before purchasing and continue to support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Lei highlighted that in the first phase, MacauPass did not collect any transaction or handling fees from the government and local outlets. In the second phase of the smartcard, which starts on Saturday, MacauPass will collect fees.
Lei stressed that the transaction fee is between businesses and MacauPass, adding that the fee should not be transferred to consumers. He also said that if anyone encounters any problems concerning additional charges they should report them to the Economic Services Bureau (DSE).
Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong talks to reporters after the opening ceremony of the “2nd Professional Aptitude Competition of Macau Tourism and Leisure Companies 2020” at Galaxy Macau’s JW Marriot yesterday. Photo: GCS
