Ferry services between Macau and Hong Kong have been suspended indefinitely in yet another dramatic measure aimed at limiting the spread of the Coronavirus.
The Hong Kong government announced on Monday that ferry services between the two special administrative regions would cease from midnight on 4 February 2020, although services between Macau Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport remain unaffected for now.
Hong Kong announced the closure of four checkpoints in total on Monday, with the ferry terminal joined by Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau and Huang Gang.
It brings the number of border entry points into Hong Kong that have now been completely closed to 10. The Shenzhen Bay joint checkpoint and Hong Kong International Airport remain open, as does the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
Hundreds of hospital workers in Hong Kong went on strike on Monday demanding a total closure of all borders with China.
“If there is no full border closure, there won’t be enough manpower, protective equipment, or isolation rooms, to combat the outbreak,” said Hospital Authority Employees Alliance chairwoman, Winnie Yu.
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, has replied that the government will provide enough health equipment for front line health workers to sustain their safety.
