China: Macau requiring negative COVID-19 test results to exit territory as of Sept. 27 /update 55

Event

Authorities in Macau have tightened travel and domestic controls after discovering several COVID-19 cases within the territory. As of Sept. 27, all individuals who leave Macau are required to produce a negative result from a nucleic acid COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours before departure. Officials have also quarantined several areas with recent COVID-19 activity. Residents of the locations and individuals with recent exposure to the sites must remain in their homes; exceptions may be possible for essential reasons. Officials have also banned large gatherings and closed schools through at least Oct. 3. Additional controls may be imposed at short notice if additional COVID-19 cases are discovered.

Individuals in Macau must continue to register their addresses or most frequented locations to receive a health code. Facemasks remain mandatory in casinos, government offices, and on public transport. Thermal scanners are in place at all entry points into Macau and many businesses, including casinos.

Travel Restrictions
Officials in Macau continue border controls to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan residents can still enter the territory if they have not been to other locations in the previous 21 days. Officials require entrants from mainland China have a negative COVID-19 test result taken within seven days before arrival. Inbound passengers from medium- and high-risk areas of mainland China must quarantine until reaching 14 days from their last exposure at designated hotels, with a minimum quarantine period of seven days. As of Sept. 27, the requirements are in place for travelers from the following locations:

• Fujian Province: Putian, Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quangang District, Quanzhou

• Heilongjiang Province: Harbin and Suihua

Officials could alter quarantine requirements at short notice; authorities will almost certainly require quarantine for travelers from new medium- and high-risk areas in mainland China.

Authorities allow some nonresidents to enter the territory from Hong Kong, provided they remained in Hong Kong for the previous 21 days and obtain permission. The policy is only applicable to people with new residence permits, work or student visa holders and their families, and important short-term business and academic trips. Permitted arrivals from Hong Kong must provide a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 24 hours before arrival, quarantine for 14 days, and undergo an additional seven days of self-health management. Officials require travelers from Taiwan to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours before departure for Macau and quarantine for 21 days at a government-designated facility. Affected people must receive a negative COVID-19 test result the day before the management period ends or depart Macau during the management period.

Most foreign nationals remain banned from entering Macau. Returning citizens and permitted travelers from international locations must take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours before departure for Macau, 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. Arrivals who have visited Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, or the Philippines 28 days before arrival in Macau must present three negative PCR COVID-19 test results taken 24 hours apart within the seven days before entry, with the final test taken within 72 hours before departure. 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.

Most arrivals must pay quarantine fees, if applicable. Locals are exempt from the quarantine fee for their first entry or if traveling for specific purposes. Officials operate a closed management system with Hong Kong for cargo crews, exempting crew members from quarantine 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 continue to suspend flights at Macau International Airport (MFM) amid generally reduced demand. Ferry service disruptions with Hong Kong continue, but officials have resumed some routes to destinations in mainland China.

Domestic Restrictions
Most commercial and domestic transport rules have ended. Travelers and residents must register their addresses or most frequented locations to receive a health code. Macau requires COVID-19 testing for people attending social gatherings with more than 400 attendees. Facemasks remain mandatory in casinos, government offices, and on public transport. Thermal scanners are in place at all entry points into Macau and many businesses, including casinos.

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