Coronavirus: ferry services suspended between Macau and HK

Full shut down of ferry services forms part of measures to prevent the further spread of the deadly pneumonia virus.

Hong Kong.- All ferry services between Hong Kong and Macau have been suspended indefinitely.

The move comes after the Hong Kong Maritime Department reduced the frequency of ferry services connecting the two SARs to Hong Kong International Airport and the Sheung Wan Ferry as part of efforts to halt the spread of Coronavirus.

The Hong Kong government announced yesterday that ferry services between the two regions will cease from midnight on 4 February 2020. The only ferry that will remain as usual is the service between the Macau Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport.

The measure is part of several announced by authorities to reduce cross-border travel in a bid to decrease the risk Coronavirus spreading further. Other measures include the suspension of individual travel visas for mainlanders and the shutdown of railways to the city.

Last Monday, hospital workers went on strike demanding the complete closure of travel connections with China.

“If there is no full border closure, there won’t be enough manpower, protective equipment, or isolation rooms, to combat the outbreak,” Hospital Authority Employees Alliance Chairwoman, Winnie Yu, said.