When entering Macao via the Barrier Gate border checkpoint, Macao residents and non-resident workers whose Macao Health Code indicates green and displays a valid nucleic acid test (NAT) certificate can now be exempted from medical examinations and health inspections by Macao Health Bureau (SSM) staff and directly pass through e-channels at the checkpoint, provided that they have generated or renewed their “Macao Health Code” less than six hours before, the local government’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced in a statement last night.
The e-channel measure took effect on Sunday.
The Macao Health Code, a QR three-colour code system, started operating on May 3 when it replaced the Health Bureau’s two previous digital health declaration systems that were required at border checkpoints and for entering public administration premises, casinos and other private premises.
Sunday’s statement pointed out that the Macao Health Code and the Guangdong version of the mainland’s health code system have been mutually recognised since May 10.
Since May 11, all arrivals from the mainland have had to show a valid NAT certificate before being allowed to enter Macao. A valid NAT certificate refers to either a certificate proving that they have tested negative for COVID-19 within the past seven days, or a certificate indicating that they had had their sample collected at least 24 hours before.
A traveller’s valid NAT certificate is displayed by the Macao Health Code if they have undergone the test in Macao, while the certificate is displayed on the Guangdong version of the mainland’s health code system if they have undergone the test in medical institutions recognised by the Zhuhai or Guangdong authorities, yesterday’s statement pointed out.
Sunday’s statement pointed out that if a traveller’s valid nucleic acid test is displayed on the Guangdong version of the mainland’s health code system, they will be required to switch the test result to the “Macao Health Code” when entering Macao.
Sunday’s statement also announced that the Macao Health Code will now show the code’s validity time on the users’ smartphones.
Part of Sheraton to resume quarantine role
Meanwhile, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) announced in a statement last night that it will use a section of the Sheraton Hotel in Cotai again as a quarantine hotel, as the 298-room Pousada Marina Infante hotel in Cotai is fully occupied because more people have recently been required to undergo medical observation in a government-arranged quarantine facility.
A section of the Sheraton comprising 500 rooms was previously used as one of the government quarantine hotels. At the peak, the government had booked 12 hotels for quarantine purposes.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macau News)
PHOTO © TDM/The Macau Post Daily
