The government’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced in a statement Wednesday night that those required to undergo 14 days of quarantine and medical observation at a “quarantine hotel” after arriving in Macao will also be required to practice at least 14 days of “self-health management” after completing their quarantine.
Those required to undergo 21 days of medical observation at a government’s “quarantine hotel” will also be required to practice at least seven days of “self-health management” after completing their quarantine, the statement said.
During their “self-health management” period, their Macao Health Code will indicate yellow, according to which “they must strictly adhere to various personal hygiene measures”.
The new measure took effect at 00:00 today.
The statement also said that they will have to undergo a nucleic acid test (NAT) one day before the end of their respective “self-health management” period, adding that they will only be allowed to finish their “self-health management” if they test negative for Covid-19.
Previously, the government had already required those who had completed their 14-day hotel quarantine to practice seven days of “self-health management”.
Last night’s statement said that the government has decided to implement the new toughened “self-health management” measure “in response to the latest development of the Covid-19 epidemic situation”.
According to the Health Bureau’s (SSM) guidelines, those undergoing their “self-health management” are advised not to leave home unless going to work or school. If they need to go outside, they should always wear a facemask and check their temperature twice every day. Employers are required to arrange for those in “self-health management” to work in a way that minimises their contact with others.
Currently, those who have been to a foreign country or Hong Kong within the past 21 days must undergo 21 days of quarantine and medical observation at one of the government’s “quarantine hotels” upon their arrival in Macao. Those who have been to Taiwan within the past 14 days must undergo 14 days of medical observation at one of the “quarantine hotels” upon arrival.
In general, those arriving in Macao from the mainland only have to present a nucleic acid test (NAT) certificate confirming that they have tested negative for Covid-19 within the past seven days, without having to undergo quarantine upon their arrival. However, those who have been in an area in the mainland where new local COVID-19 cases have recently been confirmed also need to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon their arrival.
Over the past few weeks, the Macao government has imposed 14-day quarantine on arrivals from certain districts, counties, towns and communities in a number of cities in the mainland, comprising Beijing and a number of cities in Hebei province, Heilongjiang province, Jilin province and Liaoning province.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macao News)
