China: Macau tightens domestic and outbound travel rules to curb COVID-19 activity as of Oct. 6 /update 56

Event

Authorities in Macau are tightening travel and domestic controls after discovering several COVID-19 cases within the territory as of Oct. 6. All individuals who leave Macau are required to produce a negative result from a nucleic acid COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours before departure, instead of 48 hours. Personal grooming services, as well as the operation of public entertainment venues such as cinema halls, bars, and gaming arcades, are suspended until further notice. Casinos, however, remain open.

Other domestic restrictions are in place. Officials continue to quarantine 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 are possible for essential reasons. Individuals in Macau must 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 and schools are closed. Additional controls may be imposed at short notice if additional COVID-19 cases are discovered.

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 Oct. 6, 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

• Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region: Khorgas

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 have 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.

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