All residents of mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, who in the previous 21 days were in foreign countries, are prohibited from entering the Macao Special Administrative Region starting Wednesday.
The announcement was published on Tuesday in the Official Gazette signed by the Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng in order to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus in Macao.
The executive order also states that in the public interest, particularly for the prevention, control and treatment of diseases, aid and emergency measures, and with the aim of ensuring Macao’s normal operation and the provision of daily necessities for residents, Macao’s health authorities can in exceptional cases lift the entry ban.
Tougher requirement for special entry applications by foreigners
Also starting from Wednesday, those who do not have resident status in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan can apply for exemption to enter Macao if they have stayed in the mainland for 21 days prior to entry, in cases of family reunions or other exceptional circumstances with close ties to Macao, with approval from the health authorities.
According to the previous version of the measure, which was implemented on 1 December, under certain circumstances, foreign nationals without a Macao ID card who intended to enter Macao from the mainland could apply for exemptions from the Macao government’s current entry ban on foreigners, as long as they had been staying in the mainland for at least 14 days. The new version of the measure, which was announced by Tuesday’s executive order and took effect at 0:00 Wednesday, extends the requirement from at least 14 days to 21 days.
According to the Macao government’s previous announcements, the measure for special entries for foreigners covers 1) the spouse or offspring of a Macao resident, 2) non-resident workers (informally known as “blue-card” holders) or those who have obtained an official permit to work in Macao as a non-resident worker, and their family members who have obtained or are eligible to obtain a permit to stay in Macao, 3) those who have obtained a special permit to reside in Macao, 4) those who have been admitted to local higher education institutions, and 5) those visiting Macao for important commercial, academic or other professional activities.
Foreign visitors have been barred from entering Macao since 18 March, and the entry ban was extended to foreign non-resident workers the next day. However, foreign nationals holding a Macao ID card are allowed to enter Macao. This means that all foreign nationals without a Macao ID card are currently barred from entering the city, regardless of where they have been before their intended entry into Macao.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macao News)
Photo by Xinhua News Agency
