Macao is to slightly relax entry curbs on non-resident foreigners, starting this Sunday, 13 November.
The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced that foreign nationals without a Macao ID card, will be allowed to enter Macao directly from Hong Kong, Taiwan and foreign countries without having to apply to the Health Bureau (SSM) in advance.
According to the announcement, the categories of non-resident foreigners are:
– Those who have obtained “Residence Authorisation” from Macao government;
– Individuals who have been granted “Special Authorisation to Stay” for non-resident students or reuniting kindreds of specialised non-resident workers;
– People who have obtained “Authorisation to Stay as Non-resident Worker”;
– Holders of “Entry Permit for Work Purpose” or the return slip issued after the “Authorisation to stay as Non-resident Worker” is approved in the initial examination phase by the Public Security Police Force, except for those specified in Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng’s Executive Order No. 165/2010 (nationals of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam);
– Nationals of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam who have obtained a visa prior to entry into Macao.
The announcement also pointed out that other non-resident foreigners who do not fall under any category above may enter Macao from Hong Kong, Taiwan and foreign countries provided that they have been granted prior authorisation from the SSM and only under the following “exceptional” circumstances:
– A spouse or other reuniting kindreds of a Macao ID holder;
– Persons admitted to a tertiary education in Macao but without obtaining “Special Authorisation to Stay” for non-resident students;
– People coming to Macao for “urgent and essential” business, official and personal activities;
The above-mentioned individuals still need to undergo a mandatory seven-day quarantine in a designated hotel and three days of self-health management after.
Since 1 September, nationals from 41 foreign countries have been allowed to enter Macao directly from Hong Kong, Taiwan and all foreign countries and regions without having to apply for entry beforehand, while all foreign diplomats have been allowed back into Macao without prior authorisation since 12 September.
