DDHK.ORG - Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Macau was quite strict about guarding its borders. With this, the former Portuguese colony has a relatively small case record, namely 46 cases without death and all patients who have been declared cured. Even then, it has been months without the addition of new cases.
However, on 9 November 2020, the Head of Government of Macau issued a new regulation in the form of an Executive Order to make it easier for foreigners to enter the country.
"The Macau Special Administrative Region Government accepts to process applications from foreigners who qualify to enter Macau on or after 1 December," the Macau Government reported via its official website, news.gov.mo.
The news itself was one of the materials conveyed by officials of the Macau Government's Novel Coronavirus Coordination and Response Center during a press conference about the latest steps as outlined in the Executive Order which was also issued that day. "Anyone who is granted approval to enter under the updated rules will still be required to comply with certain applicable health monitoring requirements," the Government wrote.
Those who are allowed to enter Macau
The first group eligible to be considered entry are foreigners who wish to visit Macau for the purposes of serving Macau's public interests. Especially, those related to disease prevention and control, emergency rescue, ensuring the implementation of public services in the community, and to meet the basic daily needs of the people of Macau.
Second, foreigners who arrived via mainland China and who had stayed there for 14 days or more, immediately prior to their planned arrival in Macau. Such persons can apply to the authorities for entry for the following five reasons:
- They are the spouse or child of a resident of Macau
- They have been registered with the authorities as non-resident workers, or hold a permit to enter Macau for work purposes, or they are family members of the worker, and have obtained the relevant authorization or meet eligibility requirements to stay in Macau
- They have obtained permission to stay in Macau
- They are students enrolled in a local higher education institution
- They plan to visit Macau for important business, academic, or professional activities
"Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong, or Taiwanese residents who wish to enter Macau for any of the purposes of the public interest mentioned above, and have visited any foreign country prior to their intended visit to Macau, can apply to the authorities to enter Macau, "Said the Macau government.
As is known, based on the previous rules, all foreigners and residents of mainland China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan who have visited a foreign country in the last 14 days prior to their arrival to Macau, are prohibited from entering Macau.
The government has the final say on whether to give approval for each application to enter Macau. Non-resident foreigners who wish to submit an application to enter Macau can submit the following documents:
- Letter to the Director of the Health Bureau, explaining the reasons for the application;
- Copies of their personal identification documents; and
- In cases where applicants wish to arrive from the mainland, proof of their previous stay there.
The government will make a decision for each application within 15 days of receiving it. Applications can be submitted to the Health Bureau Disease Control and Prevention Center, either in person at Dr. Alameda. Carlos d'Assumpção, n.os 335-341, Edifício “Centro Hotline”, 7th floor; by post; or by email (cdc@ssm.gov.mo or info.cdc@ssm.gov.mo).
