Travellers crossing the Macao-Zhuhai border will no longer need to provide a negative nucleic acid test (NAT) result starting this Sunday.
The Comprehensive Team for Joint Prevention and Control Mechanisms for Covid-19 also announced the relaxation of travel measures between mainland China and Hong Kong.
Currently, anyone crossing the Macao-Zhuhai border is required to show a 72-hour negative NAT result, a measure that is scheduled to remain in place through midnight this Saturday.
Furthermore, those entering mainland China from Macao through all ports of entry, with no travel history to foreign countries or other regions overseas within the past 7 days, will no longer need to provide a negative NAT result prior to departing for mainland China.
The announcement also highlighted the cancellation of seat limits in mainland China-bound flights from Macao and Hong Kong, and vice versa, with connecting services into mainland China from both Hong Kong and Macao International Airports to resume this Sunday.
The number of flights between mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong will also be “gradually increased in an orderly manner”, while airport operations will be simplified for flights and passengers from and to these three places.
All airlines are urged to maintain their anti-pandemic prevention measures, with all passengers still required to wear masks when boarding.
In addition, all passenger land and water transport between mainland China, Macao and Hong Kong will resume “gradually and in an orderly manner”, with customs in all three locations implementing “quick” clearance for all departing and arriving passengers.
The announcement pointed out that Macao’s and Hong Kong’s capacities to receive more mainland Chinese visitors will continue to change based on the two cities’ Covid-19 developments.
Meanwhile, travellers entering mainland China from Hong Kong will still need to provide a negative NAT result taken within 48 hours before departure. They must fill in the test results in the customs health declaration cards.
However, those coming from Hong Kong will no longer have to undertake an on-site NAT when arriving in mainland China. Travellers whose health declaration cards show no health issues can directly clear customs, while those with health issues declared in their declaration cards or who have symptoms such as fever, will undergo a rapid antigen test on site.
If the result is negative, the person will be allowed to go; those with positive results but who are considered mild cases without serious underlying medical conditions, or who are asymptomatic, can do a home quarantine or self-health management. Other cases may be recommended to attend a medical institution for further diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
