China: Authorities in Macau ease COVID-19 requirements for inbound travelers Dec. 20 /update 83

Event

Macau authorities will ease COVID-19 requirements for inbound travelers from Dec. 20. Individuals entering Macau from mainland China, including Zhuhai and Guangdong Province, must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours, instead of 48 and 24 hours respectively. Inbound passengers arriving from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and international locations must also present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure instead of 48 hours. Officials will lift quarantine requirements for entrants that have visited mainland China's high-risk areas. Other domestic and international curbs remain in effect.

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. High-risk locations, such as nonessential businesses and government offices, must provide a QR code for contact tracing. 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. Thermal scanners are in place at all entry points into Macau and many businesses, including casinos.

Officials can designate a building or community where COVID-19 cases emerge as a red zone, preventing entry and exit. Residents, people that work near, and anyone that spent more than 30 minutes in a red zone must receive negative PCR test results for three consecutive days to reenter the community. People that visited locations where COVID-19 cases visited may receive a yellow health code if their itineraries overlap, preventing them from entering public spaces, taking public transport, or departing the territory. Individuals that receive a yellow health code must undergo two nucleic acid tests in three days to have restrictions lifted.

International Travel Restrictions
Inbound travelers arriving from mainland China, including Zhuhai and Guangdong Province, must hold a negative COVID-19 PCR result taken within 72 hours. As of Dec. 20, officials have lifted quarantine requirements for entrants that have visited mainland China's high-risk areas.

Arrivals from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and international locations must present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before departure and take another PCR test on arrival. Travelers must quarantine at home or a hotel for five days, but no longer need to book a room at a medical observation hotel or pay for tests in advance. Inbound passengers will be assigned a red health code for the first three days. The health code will turn amber on day 3 after negative rapid antigen test (RAT) results for three consecutive days and change to green following negative RAT results on days 4 and 5. Travelers must also take a PCR test on day 3 and are barred from leaving Macau until at least day 8. Arrivals that test positive during home isolation must continue to quarantine until they obtain a negative PCR test result or negative RAT results for two consecutive days; their health codes will also turn red.

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 Testing Appointments