The Macau government will adopt the central government's so-called "5+3" COVID-19 quarantine easing policy, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U told reporters on the sidelines of a public function this afternoon.
The "5+3" measure announced by the central government this morning lowers mandatory quarantine at a government-run facility for international arrivals in the Chinese mainland from seven to five days, followed by three days of isolation at home.
Moreover, from now on travellers can visit the mainland with just one negative PC R test result obtained within 48 hours before boarding their flights.
Ao Ieong told the media that Macau will follow the central government's adjusted COVID-19 prevention and control measures as far as medical observation quarantine for arrivals in Macau is concerned.
Ao Ieong also stressed that the Macau will continue to follow the central government's dynamic zero COVID policy.
Macau's Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre said in a statement in the late afternoon that the new measure will take effect tomorrow. According to the centre, the "5+3" measure will be for arrivals from Hong Kong, Taiwan and foreign countries. As in the past, there's no need for arrivals from the Chinese mainland to undergo quarantine in Macau.
The statement stressed that the local government adjusts its COVID-19 prevention and control measures in line with "national standards" and the actual situation in Macau. Those in hotel quarantine and isolation at home must undergo a string of strictly regulated nucleic acid tests (NATs) and rapid antigen tests (RATs).
Currently, arrivals in Macau from destinations other than the Chinese mainland are required to undergo seven days of quarantine at a government-designated hotel, followed by three days of "self-health management" at home.
In the mainland, the quarantine period for inbound travellers from foreign countries will be cut from 10 days to eight, i.e., five days at a government-run quarantine facility and three days in isolation at home, informally known as "5+3".
Moreover, mainland China-bound passengers arriving from foreign countries will now only be required to show one negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of boarding their flights, a reduction from two test results.
Caption: Macau Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U talks to reporters on the sidelines of a public function this afternoon. – Photo courtesy of Macao Daily News
