Macao to relax several inbound and transit rules starting 8 January 2023

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Those intending to enter the Macao SAR from Mainland China, the Hong Kong SAR or the region of Taiwan are not required to present any proof of COVID-19 testing.

Along with the border reopening of China, the Macao SAR government has announced the relaxation of several inbound and transit rules with effect from 00.00am on 8 January 2023 (Sunday).

• Transit/transfer services at Macau International Airport will be resumed;
• Special restrictive measures on inbound travellers holding foreign passports are cancelled. Individuals of all nationalities may enter into the Macao Special Administrative Region from any region without prior authorisation from the health authorities, provided that they comply with other entry conditions;
• Mandatory health declaration measures on inbound travellers at all border checkpoints and health management measures upon entry are cancelled;
• Those intending to enter the Macao Special Administrative Region from countries and regions outside China must present a proof of negative antigen test or nucleic acid test for COVID-19 taken within 48 hours upon boarding a Macao-bound flight or vessel;
• Those intending to enter the Macao Special Administrative Region from Mainland China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the region of Taiwan are not required to present any proof of COVID-19 testing;
• Persons who have entered the Macao Special Administrative Region from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the region of Taiwan, or countries and regions outside China must present a proof of negative nucleic acid test for COVID-19 sampled within 48 hours when leaving for the Mainland China within the seventh day from the day after the date of entry (For Zhuhai-Macao checkpoints, 48 hours after the date of sampling; for other checkpoints, subject to the requirements of the checkpoint of the destination area);
• Travellers should convert the Yuekang Code Customs Clearance Certificate in advance when leaving for the Mainland China through the Zhuhai-Macao checkpoints;
• Starting from 15 January 2023, nationals of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, should obtain a "Macao visa" in advance from Chinese embassies or consulates before entering the Macao Special Administrative Region.

On the other hand, the HKSAR government has also announced that, upon liaison and collaboration with the Macao SAR government, cross-boundary ferry services between Hong Kong and Macao will be resumed gradually with effect from 8 January 2023 to further foster cross-boundary people flow.

Cross-boundary ferry services between Hong Kong and Macao via Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal will be resumed gradually with about 10 trips per day. As regards land transport, the existing cross-boundary bus services plying between Hong Kong and Macao will continue to be strengthened subject to needs. 

The existing testing requirement on all inbound persons from Macao to Hong Kong will remain largely unchanged:

• All inbound persons aged 3 or above on the date of arrival at Hong Kong will be required to conduct a rapid antigen test within 24 hours, or undergo a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test (PCR test) within 48 hours, prior to the scheduled time of arrival in Hong Kong, and obtain a negative result for entering Hong Kong. 
• Inbound persons who have stayed in the Mainland on the day of, or in the seven days prior to, arrival at Hong Kong, they will be required to undergo a PCR test within 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of arrival at Hong Kong, and obtain a negative result for entering Hong Kong.

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