China: Macau officials lift entry ban for certain foreign travelers from Sept. 1 /update 80

Event

Authorities in Macau will lift an entry ban for non-resident foreign nationals from certain locations from Sept. 1. The eased measures will apply to foreigners from 41 countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, among others. The list of permitted locations is available here. Eligible travelers can enter Macau without prior authorization but must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours before departure and undergo seven days of hotel quarantine, followed by three days of self-health monitoring.

Domestic Measures
Individuals in Macau must register their addresses or most frequented locations to receive a health code. Facemasks are mandatory in public, and people must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken within three days to enter most venues. Industrial and commercial companies, including casinos, may operate at a limited capacity but must abide by health protocols. Venues must ensure that all staff, visitors, and performers are fully vaccinated or hold a negative nucleic acid COVID-19 test result valid for 48 hours. Thermal scanners are in place at all entry points into Macau and many businesses, including casinos.

International Travel Restrictions
Residents from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan may enter Macau if they have not been to other locations in the previous 10 days. The government also permits some foreign nationals in Hong Kong with new residence permits, work or student visa holders and their families, and important short-term business and academic trips to enter the territory if they have not left Greater China within 10 days of entry and obtain permission.

Arrivals from Hong Kong and Taiwan must be fully vaccinated and provide a negative COVID-19 test result obtained taken within 24 hours before departure. Travelers must quarantine at a government-designated facility for seven days, take five COVID-19 tests during quarantine, and undergo self-health management or monitoring for three more days. Travelers leaving Macau through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau border checkpoint must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 24 hours.

Officials require inbound passengers from mainland China to present a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result. Inbound flight and sea passengers, and travelers entering from Macao, must ensure the testing sample is taken within seven days before departure. Individuals arriving from Zhuhai must hold test results issued within the last 48 hours. Air and sea travelers arriving from mainland China, except for Zhuhai, must undergo a free nucleic acid test on arrival and take another nucleic acid test within two days after entering Macau at their own expense. Entrants from mainland China's medium- and high-risk areas must continue to quarantine for at least seven days and up to 10 days at designated hotels from their last exposure. Travelers from affected areas do not need to pre-book a hotel. Officials could alter quarantine requirements at short notice. A complete list of requirements for travelers from mainland China is available by clicking here.

Returning citizens and permitted travelers from other international locations must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours before departure for Macau. They must quarantine for seven days at a designated location upon arrival, take five nucleic acid tests, and undergo self-health management for three more days. Officials can increase quarantine if passengers return a positive serological test result. Any entrant that previously contracted COVID-19 must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken at least 72 hours before arrival and present proof of a booster COVID-19 dose.

Most arrivals must pay quarantine fees, if applicable. Locals returning for the first time or traveling for specific purposes are exempt. 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 most international flights at Macau International Airport (MFM) amid generally reduced demand. Ferry services have resumed with Shenzhen and Shekou in mainland China but remain suspended with Hong Kong. All persons departing Macau by air or sea must carry negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test results issued no more than 24 hours before departure. Travelers entering Zhuhai from Macau must complete a health declaration and take two additional tests within three days of arriving in Zhuhai. Individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19 cannot enter Zhuhai until after 30 days.

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
Macau Testing Appointments