The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre has announced that all international arrivals in Macau must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for at least 14 days prior to their boarding, or present a doctor’s certificate indicating the reason why that person was unable to be inoculated.
According to a Government Information Bureau (GCS) statement, international arrivals in Macau via any foreign country will be required to comply with the government’s nucleic acid testing and vaccination rules. The statement underlined that the arrivals need to present the relevant documentation prior to boarding either a direct flight to Macau or the first leg of a connecting flight to the city.
The statement noted that people travelling from countries that are considered as extremely high risk for COVID-19 infections – Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Turkey –are required to present proof of three negative nucleic acid test (NAT) results conducted within seven days of their intended departure en route to Macau. The statement pointed out that the three tests should be conducted at least 24 hours apart, and the last test should be done within 48 hours of boarding their flight.
Meanwhile, people travelling from other foreign countries are required to present a negative NAT result, which must be done no more than 48 hours before their flights.
However, the statement added, arrivals aged 12 or above are required to present proof of either a completed COVID-19 vaccination record at least 14 days prior to boarding their flights, or a certificate confirming they are not suitable to be recipients of any COVID-19 vaccine. The statement pointed out that the vaccination document must be recognised for the purpose of international travel, or recognised by a Chinese embassy or consulate in the respective foreign country, stressing that forgery would entail legal consequences.
The new vaccination and testing requirements only apply to arrivals from foreign countries and territories. therefore, they do not include Taiwan, Hong Kong and the mainland.
