Could Hong Kong be facing a brain drain?
As Hong Kong reports a record high of more than 600 COVID cases over the weekend, the pressure on the city’s healthcare system seems to be increasing.
Due to the outbreak of the Omicron variant in the country, large-scale restrictions were put in place in early January to conform to its ‘zero-COVID’ policy. The policy, similar to that seen in mainland China, is one that aims to completely eliminate the presence of the virus in the city. As such, it enacted a flight ban last month and also saw the closure of gyms, indoor dining, bars, and nightclubs. Furthermore, tougher measures are expected to be put in place this week, with the aim of “reducing the flow of people”, according to Sophia Chan, food and health secretary.
However, a Guardian report has suggested that following a zero-COVID strategy is not sustainable in the long-term, especially in the case of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Indeed, the rules may also have an effect on Hong Kong’s role as an international financial center. A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce found that 44% of individuals may leave the city due to its border controls and social restrictions, with 26% of the companies surveyed also saying they are considering relocation.
In addition, a draft report by the city’s European Chamber of Commerce has stated that Hong Kong may not widely reopen until 2024, as a result of the tight COVID restrictions. This has led to fears of a brain drain from Hong Kong and a change in its future status if prominent businesses and talented individuals put forward plans to leave in the intermittent period. This anxiety has been in place since the introduction of a national security law in 2020 but does appear to have worsened since the introduction of the pandemic-related restrictions.
Although, despite this, many still share an optimism that the city will recover as a regional hub in the long-term, particularly due to its proximity to the lucrative Chinese market.
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Kieran Matthews
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