China: Macau continues travel restrictions as of April 21; arrivals from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines subject to longer quarantines /update 42

Event

Officials in Macau are largely maintaining existing COVID-19 travel controls as of April 21. However, authorities have slightly increased the duration of mandatory quarantines for individuals arriving from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Arrivals from these countries are subject to 28-day quarantines after arrival, followed by an additional seven days of "self-health management," which entails restricting travel to work or school, wearing a facemask in public, and twice-daily temperature checks. The measure effectively applies only to Macau citizens and residents, since most foreign nationals remain barred from entering the territory.

The government also continues to enforce some local restrictions and travel controls due to COVID-19 concerns. Authorities require individuals to register their address or most frequented locations to receive a health code. Officials also require COVID-19 testing for persons attending social gatherings attended by more than 400 people. Facemasks remain mandatory in casinos and government offices, as well as on public transport. Thermal scanners are in place at all entry points into Macau, as well as the entrances to many businesses.

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.

Travel Restrictions
Authorities continue to ban most foreign nationals from entering Macau; exceptions are in place for some foreigners related to Macau residents, along with students and essential workers. Residents of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan can enter Macau if they have not been to any other places in the previous 21 days. The government also permits foreign nationals to enter Macau from mainland China, provided their travel originated in Macau and they only traveled within mainland China. Individuals traveling from most areas of mainland China need to submit a negative result from a nucleic acid COVID-19 test taken no more than seven days prior to their arrival in Macau. However, officials require travelers from any medium- and high-risk areas of mainland China to quarantine for 14 days at designated hotels. Affected travelers must also participate in self-health management for an additional 14 days. As of April 21, some communities in Ruili, Yunnan Province, are the only locations in mainland China classified as medium or high risk. However, the government could adjust the list of affected areas at short notice.

Visitors from Taiwan need to submit a negative result from a COVID-19 test administered no more than seven days prior to arrival, while individuals arriving from Hong Kong must submit a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours prior to arrival. Entrants from both locations must quarantine for 14 days. Arrivals from most foreign countries must quarantine for 21 days followed by seven days of health self-management. Travelers from abroad must pay quarantine fees of USD 700; locals are exempt from the quarantine fee for their first entry but must pay for subsequent quarantine periods unless traveling for certain purposes.

Officials have introduced a closed management system with Hong Kong for cargo crews. The program exempts shipping crew members from quarantine regulations as long as they undergo COVID-19 testing weekly, maintain adequate health standards, and refrain from disembarking in Hong Kong.

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