China: Macau continues to adjust border controls as of May 21 due to COVID-19 concerns /update 44

Event

Macau continues to adjust its borders restrictions as of May 21 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Citizens of mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan can enter the territory if they have not been to any other locations in the previous 21 days. Individuals from low-risk areas of mainland China can enter Macau without quarantine with a negative nucleic acid COVID-19 test result taken within seven days of arrival. However, officials require travelers from medium- and high-risk areas of mainland China to quarantine for 14 days at designated hotels. As of May 21, the requirements are in place for travelers from the following locations in mainland China:

• Anhui Province: Jin'an and Yu'an districts, Lu'an, and Shangpai Town and Feixi County, Hefei

• Liaoning Province: Chentun Town and Honghai Community, Bayuquan District; Xiongyue Town in Yingkou. Parts of Heping and Yuhong districts in Shenyang.

Officials require travelers that visited Taiwan within 21 days of arrival to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival and quarantine for 21 days at a government-designated facility. Meanwhile, permitted travelers from Hong Kong must provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 24 hours of arrival, quarantine for 14 days, and undergo an additional seven days of self-health management. Self-health management entails restricting travel to work or school, wearing a facemask in public, and twice-daily temperature checks. Affected people must receive a negative COVID-19 test result the day before the management period ends or to depart Macau during the management period.

The government continues to ban most foreign nationals from entering Macau. However, officials permit some international arrivals in the public interest, mainly medical and public service workers. Macau also allows foreigners in the mainland for the previous 21 days to enter under certain circumstances. Foreigners that initiated travel from Macau and possess a visa from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau may reenter the territory. Other foreign nationals, including dependents of Macau residents, work permit or Certificate of Residence Authorization holders, or attendees at business or academic events, without a visa can apply for an exemption to enter Macau from mainland China.

Returning citizens and permitted international travelers from locations other than mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan must take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure, quarantine for 21 days at a designated location upon arrival, and undergo self-health management for seven more days. Officials can increase quarantine to 28 days if passengers return a positive serological test result. Passengers that visited India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Nepal, or Brazil within 28 days of arrival are subject to a 28-day quarantine in designated facilities. Authorities will extend quarantine to 35 days for individuals that have a positive serological test result. Travelers must pay quarantine fees; locals are exempt from the quarantine fee for their first entry but must pay for subsequent quarantine periods unless traveling for select purposes.

Officials have introduced a closed management system with Hong Kong for cargo crews. The program exempts shipping crew members from quarantine regulations as long as they undergo COVID-19 testing weekly, maintain adequate health standards, and refrain from disembarking in Hong Kong.

Domestic Restrictions
Authorities require travelers and residents to register their address or most frequented locations to receive a health code. Macau still requires COVID-19 testing for people attending social gatherings of more than 400 people. Facemasks remain mandatory in casinos, government offices, and on public transport. Thermal scanners are in place at all entry points into Macau, casinos, and many other businesses.

Transport between Macau and Hong Kong remains available only via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Several airlines have suspended flights at Macau International Airport (MFM); further flight cancellations are possible amid low demand.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Consider postponing travel to Macau if impacted by travel restrictions. Allow additional time for immigration and health screenings. Delay travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny, immigration delays, or mandatory quarantine. Confirm reservations and business appointments.

Resources

Macau Health Bureau (Chinese and Portuguese)
Macau Higher Education Bureau