Launch of citywide nucleic acid test from 9:00 am tomorrow (4 July) to 6:00 pm on 9 July

The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announces that 4th to 6th rounds of Citywide NAT will be conducted from 9:00 am tomorrow (4 July) to 6:00 pm on 9 July.

1. Time

Round 4: From 9:00 am on 4 July (Monday) to 6:00 pm on 5 July (Tuesday);

Round 5: From 9:00 am on 6 July (Wednesday) to 6:00 pm on 7 July (Thursday);

Round 6: From 9:00 am on 8 July (Friday) to 6:00 pm on 9 July (Saturday).

(Opening hours of Caring Stations in each round: From 6:00 am on the first day to 6:00 pm on the following day)

1. Targets

All local residents and individuals staying in Macao born on or before 1 July 2019 are required to get tested. Infants and children born after 1 July 2019 can be exempted.

1. NAT stations and sampling booths

A total of 64 NAT stations involving 362 sampling booths will be set up across the city. Categories of testing stations include: general stations and self-paid stations (prior booking required), and 7 caring stations (for people with special needs who fail to make prior booking), users of caring stations can be accompanied by one person if necessary. During the period of 11:00 pm to 5:59 am, a general channel is set up exceptionally for the general public to make bookings. All general stations and self-paid stations are equipped with a caring channel. Amongst, 2 mobile NAT buses, of which prior booking is required, will provide sampling service in the following locations and times:

1. Booking for Citywide NAT and Self-paid NAT

The website for booking citywide NAT sampling (https://eservice.ssm.gov.mo/allpeoplernatestbook) will be put into operation at 7:00 am on the first day of each round (i.e. 4, 6 and 8 July); members of the public have to make three separate bookings. Relevant test results will not be uploaded to the Macao Health Code, and cannot be used for immigration purposes. If necessary, citizens may click on the link at the bottom of the Macao Health Code’s homepage, or enter this link:

https://eservice.ssm.gov.mo/rnachecker to inquire records and results of the citywide NATs or self-paid NATs in the recent 2 days. Sampling records can be found even if relevant results are still unavailable. The link will be put into operation at 00:00 am tomorrow (4 July).

To shorten the queuing time, people in need of special care are suggested to book the test in general testing stations with the assistance of families or friends, and then utilize use the priority channel there. Prior booking is required in general testing stations. Persons with bookings are urged to arrive on time, late arrivals will have to book again. On the contrary, residents need not arrive too early, do not arrive more than half an hour early. Original of identity document (same document used in Macao Health Code; non-residents please present travel document), booking code and a screenshot of the Macao Health Code must be presented for the test.

Bedridden or immobile persons are suggested to request assistance from families and friends first, those who still have difficulties may call the Social Welfare Bureau’s 24-hour hotline at 28261126 for assistance.

There are 13 self-paid stations (prior booking is required) in place to provide paper NAT report; their test results will be uploaded to the Macao Health Code for immigration purposes, and will be counted in the citywide NAT programme. Booking links: https://eservice.ssm.gov.mo/rnatestbook/V21/ or https://app.ssm.gov.mo/prsranbook/Booking/Booking?lang=ch or https://app.ssm.gov.mo/airportprsrnabook.

The public are urged to undergo NAT sampling at nearby stations. Avoid using public transport for collective use. Maintain a distance of one metre when waiting for sampling and follow the staff’s instructions.

1. Take a look at the up-to-date situation at NAT stations before going out for sampling

To optimize crowd management, the booking system for citywide NAT operates on the basis of sampling stations which enables accurate control of users; real-time waiting information (namely no. of sampling booths in each testing station, no. of people waiting, expected waiting time, and no. of bookings) at different stations will be disseminated once every 4 hours by diversified means.

Expected waiting time will be shown in three colours:

1. Green colour indicates expected waiting time of less than 30 minutes
2. Yellow colour indicates expected waiting time between 31 to 59 minutes
3. Red colour indicates expected waiting time of 60 minutes or more.

The public are urged to book and take the test as soon as possible, take a look at the latest waiting situation before setting out for sampling, and adjust arrangement according to real-time situation.

1. Arrangements for people with yellow or red codes

Yellow code holders (including infants and children born after 1 July 2019) should participate in the citywide NAT drive, and may get tested at the testing stations; yellow code holder may re-do NAT on the second day due to compliance with the anti-epidemic requirements, where prior booking is still required.

Red code holders are required to take the test at designated sampling stations. If developing fever or other symptoms, medical attention should be sought by using an ambulance.

1. No exemption period, yellow code will be assigned to people who remain untested after the period

The 4th to 6th rounds of Citywide NAT do not have exemption period. Individuals in Macao who remain untested after 6:00 pm on 9 July will be assigned a yellow health code. According to relevant regulations, yellow code holders are not allowed to enter public places, take public transport or leave the city; they will be taken by the police to a designated venue to undergo sampling, and will not be allowed to leave the venue until their test returns as negative. People who refuse to take the test will be subject to medical observation at designated venue for 14 days.

1. Free distribution of antigen test kits and KN95 face masks

In round 4 of the Citywide NAT, each participating resident will be given 5 sets of rapid antigen test kits; in round 5, each resident will be given 10 pieces of KN95 face masks; and in round 6, each resident will be given 5 sets of rapid antigen test kits.

For infants and children who are exempted from the citywide NAT, their parents or guardian may collect the materials on behalf of them by presenting the Macao Health Code of the concerned infants and children for registration. Please remember to collect the materials as re-collection would not be available.

1. Complete a rapid antigen test before heading to Citywide NAT station

Before going to the NAT stations to get tested, the public must first perform a rapid antigen test (RAT) by themselves at home. If tested negative, go to the NAT station for sampling as scheduled. Upon entry into the NAT station, present a health code containing a RAT negative result or a photo showing a RAT negative result; otherwise, such entry would be denied.

If the RAT result is positive, regardless of whether you have fever, respiratory symptoms or other discomfort, you should call an ambulance (Tel: 119, 120 or 2857 2222) in addition to reporting it through Macao Health Code. The declarant and the co-living individuals must stay home and wait patiently for being transferred to the quarantine site by the designated ambulance. Relevant nucleic acid testing will be arranged for all of them by the authorities.

While waiting for transferal, the concerned residents are reminded to pay attention to the followings:

1. Wear a mask properly, stay home and wait for transferal to quarantine station.
2. Do not go out, and avoid taking public transport;
3. While home, stay in an isolated room if possible. Avoid contact with people living together;
4. Do not undergo testing at NAT station, including the Citywide NAT.

1. Points to note

Individuals intending to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must complete the NATs first, and then wait for at least 24 hours before getting vaccinated.

In the meantime, two NATs must be conducted at least 24 hours apart. After completion of the 4th round of citywide NAT, undergo a rapid antigen test (RAT) every day until 9 July. Even for infants and children who are exempted to participate in the citywide NAT, they are asked to take the RAT every day starting from tomorrow (4 July) to 9 July.

List of citywide NAT sampling stations

from 9:00 am on 4 July to 6:00 pm on 9 July 2022

(Opening hours of Caring Stations in each round: From 6:00 am on the first day to 6:00 pm on the following day)