Macau’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Center will from Monday 16 May slightly ease restrictions on those arriving from Hong Kong, with a 14-day hotel quarantine period to be followed only by seven days of “self-health monitoring” rather than seven days of “self-isolation”. A green code will be displayed during the self-health monitoring period.
The measure applies to all arrivals from Hong Kong, provided those from foreign countries or Taiwan have stayed there for at least seven days before entering Macau.
However, arrivals will still be required to take COVID-19 tests on days 2, 4 and 6 of their self-health monitoring and will not be permitted to enter mainland China during that time.
The Center explained that under current measures, the health code of those exiting hotel quarantine stays yellow for seven days, meaning their movement within the Macau community and access to activities is restricted. They are not able to attend school, perform front-line work or participate in group activities.
Once the new measures are implemented, which is planned for this upcoming Monday 16 May, a green health code will be displayed meaning they can go to work and school as normal, and can participate in activities if wearing a mask.
The easing of measures comes amid a significant reduction in daily COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong following a major outbreak of the Omicron variant earlier this year. The Hong Kong government also revealed this week that more than 50% of the population has now received its third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.