The Macau government has imposed a ban on the entry of mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan compatriots who have been to a foreign country within the past 21 days.
The tougher entry ban on residents from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, which takes effect today, came after a similar entry ban on them which had been in force since March 25, according to which mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan residents who had been to a foreign country within 14 days prior to their intended entry into Macau were barred from entering Macau.
The tougher entry ban was announced by an executive order signed by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and published in the Official Gazette (BO) yesterday, which stipulates that with effect from 00:00 today, all mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan residents who have been to a country or region other than China (mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan) within 21 days prior to their intended entry are barred from entering Macau.
The order is based on Article 25 of the Law on the Prevention, Control and Treatment of Infectious Diseases.
The executive order also states that in the public interest, particularly for the prevention, control and treatment of diseases, aid and emergency measures, and with the aim of ensuring Macau’s normal operation and the provision of daily necessities for residents, Macau’s health authorities can in exceptional cases lift the entry ban.
The executive order states that the new entry ban aims to prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus disease in the MSAR.
Tougher requirement for special entry applications by foreigners
Meanwhile, another executive signed by Ho and published in the Official Gazette yesterday amends the Macau government’s new measure that allows foreign nationals claiming special circumstances to apply for permission to enter Macau from the mainland. According to the previous version of the measure, which was rolled out on December 1, under certain circumstances foreign nationals without a Macau ID card who intended to enter Macau from the mainland could apply for exemptions from the Macau government’s current entry ban on foreigners, as long as they had been staying in the mainland for at least 14 days. The new version of the measure, which was announced by yesterday’s executive order and took effect at 0:00 today, raises the requirement from at least 14 days to 21 days.
According to the Macau government’s previous announcements, the measure for special entries for foreigners covers 1) the spouse or offspring of a Macau resident, 2) non-resident workers (informally known as “blue-card” holders) or those who have obtained an official permit to work in Macau as a non-resident worker, and their family members who have obtained or are eligible to obtain a permit to stay in Macau, 3) those who have obtained a special permit to reside in Macau, 4) those who have been admitted to local higher education institutions, and 5) those visiting Macau for important commercial, academic or other professional activities.
Foreign visitors have been barred from entering Macau since March 18, and the entry ban was extended to foreign non-resident workers the next day. However, foreign nationals holding a Macau ID card are allowed to enter Macau. This means that all foreign nationals without a Macau ID card are currently barred from entering the city, regardless of where they have been before their intended entry into Macau.
