China: Macau eases restrictions as of Oct. 21 amid reduced COVID-19 concerns /update 57

Event

Authorities in Macau have eased some restrictions as of Oct. 21 due to reduced COVID-19 concerns. Officials have cleared all red and yellow zones in the city after three rounds of COVID-19 testing in affected communities. The government has permitted entertainment businesses to resume operations. 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. Large gatherings remain banned.

Travel Restrictions
Macau permits residents from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to 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 Oct. 21, the requirements are in place for travelers from the following locations:

• Gansu Province: Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Zhangye, and Jiuquan

• Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region: Erenhot city and Alxa and Xilingol leagues

• Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region: Yinchuan

• Shaanxi Province: Xi'an

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 Hong Kong residents to enter the territory provided they have not traveled outside mainland China within 14 days of arrival. The government also permits some foreign nationals in Hong Kong to enter the territory if they have not left Greater China within 21 days of entry 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. 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 and quarantine for 21 days at a government-designated facility. Affected people must have a negative COVID-19 test result the day before the management period ends or depart Macau during the management period.

Returning citizens and permitted travelers from international locations must take a COVID-19 test within 48 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 Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, or Turkey within 28 days before arrival must present three negative PCR COVID-19 test results taken 24 hours apart within the seven days before entry; the final test must occur within 48 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.

Macau has eased an ongoing COVID-19 testing requirement for departing travelers to 48 hours. Travel with Zhuhai has resumed after the city ended quarantine requirements for most Macau residents, with exceptions. 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.

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