The final paragraph of a government press release attached:
In view of the local economic downturn and rising unemployment
rate amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government understands the
public's concerns and reaffirms the established policy of upholding
priority employment of the local workforce. In recent months, the
ImmD has been closely monitoring the employment situation of
different industries, including the aviation industry as referred
to in the question. In view of the latest employment situation of
the local aviation industry, the ImmD has, after consultation with
the relevant bureaux and departments, critically scrutinised
applications from the industry made under GEP and ASMTP for
employment visa/entry permit and extension of stay. In fact, the
ImmD did not approve any new employment visas/entry permits for
non-local pilots to work in Hong Kong in the past three months.
Best of luck to all regardless of which side of the fence you sit.