China: Macau continues to adjust COVID-19 entry and quarantine requirements as of July 6 /update 48

Event

Officials in Macau continue to adjust border restrictions 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 other locations in the previous 21 days. Individuals from most low-risk areas of mainland China can enter Macau without quarantine with a negative PCR COVID-19 test result taken within seven days of arrival. Officials have ended entry restrictions on most areas of Guangdong but require travelers from the province to present a negative test result taken within 48 hours of arrival. Travelers from medium- and high-risk areas of mainland China must quarantine for 14 days at designated hotels. As of July 6, the requirements are in place for travelers from the following locations:

• Guangdong Province: Dashi Subdistrict, Panyu District, Guangzhou

• Yunnan Province: Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Ruili City

Officials require travelers that visited Taiwan within 21 days of arrival to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival and quarantine for 21 days at a government-designated facility, followed by 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. 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. Affected people must receive a negative COVID-19 test result the day before the management period ends or 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. Dependents of Macau residents, work permit or Certificate of Residence Authorization holders, or attendees at business or academic events, can apply for an exemption to enter Macau from mainland China without a visa.

Returning citizens and permitted international travelers from international locations 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 Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines within 28 days of arrival must present three negative PCR COVID-19 test results taken 24 hours apart, within seven days of arrival; the last test must take place within 72 hours of boarding flights. These travelers 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 if they undergo COVID-19 testing weekly, maintain adequate health standards, and refrain from disembarking in Hong Kong.

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. Authorities have also canceled ferry services from Dongguan; ferry service disruptions from Shenzhen and Zhuhai are also possible.

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.

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