From what I've heard, Several masseuses who went back to China early on haven't returned ( yet, or ever is not known). been mention of retirements too, maybe the job had reached the end-by date and this was the opportunity to find another lifestyle. Both of those covid-related. too much uncertainty re returning? can be 2 weeks quarrantine in China plus 1-2 weeks regional on top, at your expense and NO exceptions.
Re visas, Blow-Jo's off the cuff remark to allow in up to 4 million Hong Kong Chinese ( unthinkingly destroying his party's immigration policy to piss off the Chinese gov't ) in unlikely to have made things more difficult.