Macau's Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced at a special press conference tonight that the government has decided to extend the mandatory novel coronavirus quarantine period for arrivals from Hong Kong and the rest of the world except mainland China and Taiwan from 14 days to 21 days.
The 50-minute press conference began at 9 p.m. The new measure took effect at 10 p.m.
Officials of the centre said the measure was warranted by the spreading of a new, highly contagious strain of COVID-19 in the UK and the overseas reports about the transmission of the novel coronavirus by people after they had completed 14 days of quarantine.
The 21-day quarantine applies to all arrivals in Macau from places other than the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, the officials said. As previously, only 14 days of quarantine will be required for arrivals from Taiwan, while those arriving from the mainland will merely have to prove that they tested negative for COVID-19 before entering Macau. However, as before those who have been in an area in the mainland where locally contracted COVID-19 has recently been confirmed also need to undergo 14 days of quarantine in Macau, according to the press conference.
Asked by The Macau Post Daily about a possible loophole in the new regulation about Hong Kong residents who even after the new measure would have been able to enter Macau after staying just 14 days in the mainland, the officials announced at the very end of the press conference that from now on Hong Kong residents would only be allowed to enter Macau quarantine-free after staying 21 days in the mainland. Previously, 14 days sufficed.
All those in 14-day quarantine in Macau before tonight's new measure was announced will have to stay an additional 7 days at a government-designated quarantine hotel.
The number of COVID-19 tests for those in quarantine will be increased from two to three, the officials said, which they said was in accordance with the extended quarantine period.
First-time quarantine for local residents is free of charge.
Macau has confirmed just 46 COVID-19 cases since late January. The Health Bureau has classified 44 of the cases as imported and two as cases "connected to imported" ones. The last COVID-19 case was confirmed in Macau on June 26.
Commentators have described Macau as an "oasis" in the world's COVID-19 crisis. Foreign nationals without a local residency permit have been barred from entering Macau since March 18. Special entry rules have been set up for compatriots from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan arriving in Macau. Quarantine and medical observation regulations have been in place since early March.
The government launched a subsidised sale of facemasks to residents and non-resident workers in late January that it has continued to date.
