Extremely strict measures have been introduced in Hong Kong from early February. Infected people, even those with no symptoms, must either be admitted to the hospital or be quarantined in a designated centre. As a result, health facilities in Hong Kong are currently saturated, and the whole health system is almost paralysed, although public housing units, hotels and even apartments are being used for quarantine. Mainland China has also introduced stringent measures, but opinions vary. Many believe that the zero Covid policy is too harsh on the population and isn't as efficient as it claims to be.
What motivated such harsh policies?
Compared to other countries around the world, China had been less affected before this period thanks to its travel limitations and restrictions and constant Covid testing on the population. More generally, international travel was reduced to -98% compared to 2019, and a strict quarantine of two to three weeks on arrival is required for those who wish to stay. Besides, expatriates, in particular, find it easier to leave the country but returning is a complex issue.
Cyntia, a young American, had to postpone her move to China due to the Covid pandemic. But whether she is still willing to travel to China is another question. For now, she's devoting some time to herself. PG, Cyntia's friend who is an American expat in China, flew back to the US for vacation last year. And he hasn't returned yet. In the meantime, PG caught Covid-19 and started remote working, hoping to get back to China sooner or later. However, he isn't in such a hurry.
For expats who are already in China, things are trickier. Indeed, local authorities order lockdowns of large geographical zones whenever new cases are detected. Like in Hong Kong and other regions, immediate lockdowns don't have a definite period, so couples and families are separated for a considerable amount of time. Companies and employees also find themselves apart.
Romu, an expat who lives close to Hong Kong, talks about the recent lockdowns: “The first lockdown was announced on February 24. We were warned at the entrance that once we went inside, we wouldn't be allowed outside again. So we did some shopping, but considering that there's only one big supermarket for the entire neighbourhood, it was overcrowded. But reactions were quick. Two days later, we were able to order online and get our stuff delivered the same day. Our residence (with around 10,000 people) was closed following a positive case. Two days later, the whole neighbourhood was locked down. Then they imposed a daily test requirement, and two weeks later, we were supposed to be released, but we weren't. We had to wait until March 12 for no reason. On the 13th, the whole city was completely locked down. No more buses or subways. We even needed a special authorisation to drive around in our district".
For some, adjusting working hours was another downside of the lockdowns. Indeed, if workers wanted to be remunerated at the end of the month, they had to make up for hours they haven't been able to work from home. As a result, employees leave one to two hours earlier than normal to catch up, so there was congestion in the subways in the morning. In such cases, social distancing is nearly impossible, and the waiting period can be extremely long in busy stations.
To leave or to stay
This situation led to rising discontent among the population. While some can't wait for this zero Covid policy to end, others have no choice than accepting it. Vincent, an expat who lives in Yuen Long, chose to stay in China after all. "Most people believe that these measures are harsh, but I think we are pretty safe here. The lifting of some of these restrictions will probably make things more bearable. In my opinion, the very harsh quarantine is one of the hardest parts of living here. For the rest, life in Hong Kong has been relatively easy for the past two years. Children's schooling has been another challenge, but my children's school has adapted pretty well to these changes".
Romu also claims to feel safe in China: “In spite of the restrictions, I believe that we survived two years without Covid while the rest of the world was experiencing constant contamination waves and high death tolls. Overall, I feel safer here. China has the potential of being very reactive. Lockdowns here serve a purpose. The entire population is tested for Covid, unlike in some European countries where lockdowns are meant to relieve the strain on hospitals".
Antoine has been in Shanghai for only 3 months, but he feels that his dream has completely crashed on moving there. “The quarantines are too harsh on us. Overnight, we find ourselves stuck in a specific place, whether at home or at work. I know people who were stranded in universities, cafes, nightclubs, etc. Moreover, quarantine durations are not defined in advance (48 hours initially), so we do not know when we will be released. This policy seems to have increased fear and stress and diminished personal and career prospects. I don't feel I can deal with this zero Covid policy anymore. It is not only expensive for the government, which pays for millions of PCR tests every day, but also inefficient".
According to Antoine, policy changes in 2018 made the country less welcoming to expats, so most of them find it hard to adapt: "For example, the fearful looks around us and significant social distancing in public transport are not very inspiring. It's been two years since the beginning of the crisis, and I believe that it's high time to think differently and why not live with Covid as people do in Europe". In the end, Antoine is already considering leaving China for a more straightforward everyday life with fewer restrictions in Europe. "What keeps me here is my job and the project I came for. But once all this is is over (in 6 months), I'll be out of here".
Another expat in China, who is a member of Expat.com's community, explains that there are no longer any positive Covid-19 cases in his city thanks to the existing measures. He even says that he feels reassured and confident about the very strict controls. He can now meet his close ones without wearing a mask. Although the restrictions have disrupted his every day in a significant way and prevented him from travelling, he agrees that choosing his health over all this was a wise decision. While he understands why many expats are fed up with these measures, his philosophy remains unchanged: "If you don't like the ways of this country, leave. Don't force yourself to live in a place where you are unhappy."
This testimony could well redefine the importance of well-being in expatriate life. In the end, everyone has to make their own choices.
