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| Macau OFWs have no option but to fly to HK first if they want to go back to their workplaces |
Hong Kong’s mandatory home quarantine for travelers arriving
from foreign countries starting Mar 19 has become a big concern for Macau-based
Filipino workers who intend to go back to their jobs by transiting through the city.
Since travel restrictions were imposed by the Philippines on
Filipinos who live and work in China, Hong Kong and Macau on Feb 2, all direct
flights between Manila and Macau had been discontinued.
Thus, Filipinos returning to their jobsites in Macau are forced
to fly to Hong Kong first from Manila, then take the cross-border bus.
But with Hong Kong requiring all new arrivals to undergo
home quarantine for 14 days, Macau OFWs are faced with the dilemma of where to
stay in Hong Kong should they be forced to comply with the directive.
One such OFW who has booked a flight to Hong Kong on Mar 21
is worried immigration officers at Chek Lap Kok would take her to a quarantine
camp since she has no permanent address in the city.
The worker, R. de Leon, said in a message that she had hoped
to clear Hong Kong immigration without a hitch, then take a short bus ride to
the HK-Macau-Zhuhai border crossing from where she could take another bus back
to her place of residence.
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| The HK-Macau-Zhuhai bridge is the only open border crossing linking the two SARS with China |
“Paano po kung wala akong bahay sa HK? Kasi pagbaba ko ng
eroplano sa HK ay diretso ako sa Macau, kasi dun work ko,” De Leon
Nobody seems to have an answer to her dilemma, as Hong Kong authorities
have yet to issue guidelines on how arriving passengers who don’t live in the
city could be made to undergo the 14-day quarantine.
The only clue came from Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who said
during a recent media briefing that Chinese mainlanders will be asked to pay $200 for
each day that they spend in a quarantine center.
Consul Paulo Saret, head of the Consulate’s assistance to
nationals section, said the case of De Leon and other returning Macau-bound
OFWs is unique as they only intend to enter Hong Kong on their way to their
workplaces.
He said he expects the Philippine Consulate General in Macau
to contact them regarding arrangements for the returning workers.
Since the travel ban was imposed, he said ATN staff had been
assisting Filipino workers from Macau who had to take a detour to Hong Kong so
they could fly back to the Philippines.
Saret said there is a big chance the authorities at HKIA
will just let De Leon proceed to the HKMZ bus terminus for her onward travel to
Macau.
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| Call now! |
But, just in case De Leon and other Macau-bound Filipino
workers are not allowed to exit Hong Kong’s airport, they can call Consul Saret
directly at +852 6105 5793.
An estimated 50,000 Filipinos work in Macau, mainly as domestic
helpers or skilled workers in the enclave's casino and hospitality industry.
