The number of Mainland China visitors to Macao is expected to rebound as travel-related restrictions are gradually eased. Following the ease of anti-epidemic control measures for cross border passages between Macao and the Mainland, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is also stepping up promotion efforts to attract visitors to the city, highlighting Macao as safe and quality travel destination.
Starting after the stroke of midnight on 25 August, individuals intending to enter Macao using any of the city’s boundary checkpoints with Guangdong Province are required to present a certificate proving a ‘negative’ result for COVID-19 infection, for a nucleic acid test conducted in the preceding seven days. That is an extension from the previous 48-hour validity requirement for nucleic acid test certificates in such situations.
From the stroke of midnight on 1 September, people intending to enter the city via Macau International Airport from any mainland city will be able to present a ‘negative’ result certificate for a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 infection, done within seven days of them boarding their flight.
MGTO has been actively publicising this latest measures via its online channels, promoting Macao as safe and quality travel destination, and is ready to welcome more visitors from the Mainland. The Office has also been conducting a promotional campaign that includes special travel offers, such as hotel and air ticket coupons.
Cautious reopening
Regarding the reopening of different venues and facilities, MGTO has moved to reopen cautiously some of the infrastructure it operates and supervises.
Since 18 August, the Macao Grand Prix Museum and the Ritz Building, including the Tourist Information counter and exhibition hall, have been reopened to the public, with limited capacity.
The daily volume of visitors welcomed by the Macao Grand Prix Museum has been reduced by half, to 550 people a day. The free, guided service and applications for group visits at the museum are still suspended.
The Tourist Information counter and exhibition hall on the ground floor of the Ritz Building are open, with no more than 25 persons to be accommodated at a time. On the first floor of the building, the breastfeeding room may also be used.
The Office will also continue reinforcing cleaning of indoor and outdoor facilities it operates, in adherence to the guidelines to prevent the pandemic. The public should be aware of the latest information regarding capacity restrictions at public venues.
The date for resumption of the “Stay, Dine and See Macao” local tour itineraries, which had been suspended on 4 August, is still to be confirmed.
With Executive Order No.118/2021, restrictions on other facilities – including venues under the supervision of MGTO – were also eased. Venues including cinemas, theatres, indoor amusement parks, game centres, cyber cafes, billiard rooms, bowling centres, saunas, massage parlours, beauty salons, gyms, health clubs, karaoke lounges, bars, nightclubs, discotheques, dance parlours, and cabaret spots have resumed operations from 18 August.
Rigorous supervision
To help safeguard public health, MGTO will conduct patrols to ensure facilities under its supervision meet the requirements of the related pandemic prevention measures.
Venues have been instructed to sterilise their facilities and follow epidemic-control guidelines, such as requesting patrons to present a valid Macao Health Code to gain access.
During the suspension period, MGTO carried out 200 inspections to ensure compliance with efforts to prevent the further spread of the pandemic. The Office received more than 1,500 enquires and requests for assistance during the same period.
Cultural venues
Other immediate pandemic-control and -prevention measures included the temporary closure of cultural facilities managed by the Macao SAR Government Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), and of indoor facilities and venues under the Macao SAR Government Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), among others.
Most cultural venues under IC, including museums, reopened from 18 August. But under guidelines from the Macao SAR Government Health Bureau, the reopened cultural facilities will not hold activities that might lead to crowds gathering. The IC has also suspended temporarily guided tours, and will not be providing at cultural venues devices for interactive experiences.
IAM also announced that most of its activity centres and indoor exhibition venues resumed operations starting from 18 August.
The recreational facilities had been ordered to close on 5 August, after the confirmation on 3 August of one imported COVID-19 case and three imported-related infections in Macao. The four people were all from the same family.
The Macao SAR Government enacted immediately its district- and risk-specific epidemic prevention plan, and on 3 August declared a state of immediate prevention in relation to COVID-19. The Macao SAR Government also announced a community-wide nucleic acid test programme in Macao.
The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced subsequently that between 3 August and 7 August, a total of 716,251 people present in Macao were tested for COVID-19 infection. All of the test results were ‘negative’.
For the latest information about pandemic prevention in Macao, please visit the Special Webpage Against Epidemics.
Staffers of MGTO Tourist Information counter at the Border Gate welcome visitors 
Macao Tourism Mascot MAK MAK welcomes visitors at the airport upon arrival 
The Macao Grand Prix Museum reopened to the public on 18 August, with limited visitation 
MGTO carried out inspections to ensure compliance with guidelines to stem the pandemic