Residents of mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan who have been to a foreign country in the 21 days prior to their intended arrival in Macao will – after the stroke of midnight on 23 December – be prohibited from entering Macao.

The latest measure seeks to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic being imported to Macao. It was set out in Executive Order No. 241/2020 published in today’s Macao SAR Gazette.

According to the Executive Order, the health authorities have the power to exempt people from compliance with the new measure, under certain circumstances. That would apply in matters serving the public interest, particularly those relating either to disease prevention and control, or emergency rescue. Such exemption could be granted also with a view to ensuring proper operation of public services in the community and of meeting the basic day-to-day needs of the Macao public.

Also in today’s Macao SAR Gazette, Executive Order No. 242/2020 stipulated entry to Macao might be possible for eligible foreigners arriving via the mainland and who have stayed on the mainland for 21 days or longer, immediately prior to their planned arrival in Macao. They might apply to the health authorities for entry on the grounds either of reunion with family members in Macao, or having close connection with Macao.

In relation to all the above categories of traveller, only those granted approval by the health authorities will be able to enter Macao. Anyone granted approval for entry will still be obliged to observe certain health-monitoring requirements as applicable.

The two Executive Orders have been issued in accordance with the Basic Law, and the Law on the Prevention, Control and Treatment of Infectious Diseases.

Since Monday (21 December), Macao has imposed stricter health requirements on people arriving in the city from places other than most of mainland China and Taiwan. Eligible people wishing to visit Macao from other locations are now required to undergo a 21-day medical observation upon arrival.

Those who have been to ‘medium-risk’ cities on the mainland, or to Taiwan, in the 14 days immediately prior to arriving in Macao, will be subject to 14 days of medical observation in Macao.

Under current rules, people from ‘low risk’ cities in mainland China may enter Macao quarantine-free, as long as they provide a negative COVID-19 infection certificate and meet other requirements.