Macao non-resident workers who have been to the mainland in the 14 days prior to their intended arrival in Macao, will only be permitted to enter Macao once they have completed a 14-day period of medical observation in certain places in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, and have obtained a certificate – issued by Zhuhai health authorities – confirming they are not infected by COVID-19.
The new measure will become effective after the stroke of midnight on Thursday (20 February), according to Executive Order 40/2020 published today in the Macao SAR Gazette.
Non-resident workers wishing to re-enter Macao via places outside the mainland – and who are unable either to obtain a medical certificate proving freedom from COVID-19 infection or alternatively return to their place of origin – will be subject to a 14-day medical observation in Macao. They would need to meet at their own expense costs arising from such quarantine.
The Health Bureau has the power to exempt certain non-resident workers from compliance with the new measure, to serve the public interest where such a worker’s job involves either disease prevention and control or emergency rescue functions. Such exemption could be granted also with a view to ensuring proper operation of public services in the community and of satisfying the basic day-to-day needs of the Macao public.
The Government has been paying close attention to the development of the COVID-19 situation and has steps available – taking into account the latest conditions in Macao – in order to minimise the risk of the disease spreading within the community.
To minimise the number of non-resident workers travelling to and from Macao, the Government has taken a series of measures, including shortening the operating hours of the Border Gate checkpoint; and suspending operations of certain industries and facilities. The Government has also been making public appeals to employers to resolve accommodation issues in Macao. This is to enable certain non-resident workers – people who normally commute daily across the city’s boundaries – to stay in the city on a nightly basis.