Special entry permits have been granted to 94 out of 336 foreign nationals without a Macao ID card who applied to come to the city.
Health Bureau (SSM) Control of Communicable Diseases and Surveillance of Diseases Department Coordinator Leong Iek Hou said that the new measure was introduced around the middle of last month.
According to the new measure, non-resident foreigners who have stayed in Hong Kong for at least 21 days prior to their intended arrival can apply for a special permit to enter Macao. The measure applies to spouses, offspring or parents of Macao residents; non-resident workers or those who have obtained an entry permit to work in Macao as a non-resident worker, and their accompanying family members who have obtained or are eligible to obtain a permit to stay in Macao; those who have obtained a special permit to reside in Macao; those who have been admitted to local higher education institutions; and those visiting Macao for important commercial, academic or other professional activities.
Under the measure, applicants aged 12 or over must prove that they have been fully inoculated against Covid-19 with a vaccine recognised by the Hong Kong government or present a doctor’s certificate confirming that they are unable to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus due to health reasons. Upon arrival in Macao, applicants who have been granted the special entry permit must present a nucleic acid test (NAT) certificate confirming a negative Covid-19 result, after which they must undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine – like all other arrivals from Hong Kong.
Leong said that the bureau had ruled that 45 applications were ineligible, while nine others had cancelled their applications.
In addition, Leong said, the SSM had refused to accept six applications which failed to meet the official requirements. Leong said that the bureau was still assessing all other applications out of the 336 which had been submitted, The Macau Post Daily reported.
