As of midday today (June 17), everyone arriving in Macao from Beijing will be subject to 14-day medical observation, according to Macao Daily today.
This measure is due to the new outbreak that emerged in Beijing that has already infected 137 people.
The situation in Beijing has already prompted local authorities to raise the alert level, from III to II, closing schools and universities. The government has also suggested residents avoid unnecessary travel.
In the statement released, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre recalls that “offenders may be subject to the mandatory isolation measure, in addition to possible criminal liability.”
Beijing upgraded its emergency response to COVID-19 from level III to II starting Tuesday.
The epidemic situation in Beijing remains grim, as the city has been reporting a daily double-digit growth in domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases since June 11, after a 57-day period featuring no new domestically transmitted cases.
The cluster outbreak, which has affected nine districts and 28 neighbourhoods, was initially believed to be caused by human-to-human transmission or contamination of articles and environment.
According to government officials, people entering the city from overseas will be put under medical observation at designated places, and undergo nucleic acid tests (NATs).
Beijing will strictly enforce epidemic prevention measures in farmers’ markets, restaurants, and canteens, and strengthen monitoring. Employees in those places must wear masks and gloves.
The capital city demands certain team sports such as basketball, football and volleyball, to come to a halt. Venues of cultural entertainment, swimming pools and gyms will remain closed.
Interprovincial group tours will also be suspended.
Meanwhile, hundreds of flights to and from Beijing have been cancelled on Wednesday as the capital raised its public health emergency response.
As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, about 850 inbound and outbound flights from Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport have been cancelled, according to data from aviation statistics provider VariFlight.
Interprovincial shuttle bus services at Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport have also been suspended.
Airlines including Air China and China Southern Airlines said on Tuesday evening that they would offer full refunds to passengers who purchased flights from or to Beijing.
