Travel between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions of China and Macau SAR just got even easier as ‘dynamic zero-COVID’ becomes more and more limited to history.
From today, December 23, 2022, the following anti-epidemic rules apply to those entering Macau from Hong Kong, or from other countries outside the Chinese mainland:
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Travelers must show a negative nucleic acid test issued within 72 hours when boarding a flight, ferry or bus to Macau.
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Travelers to Macau will receive a yellow code upon arrival on the Macao Health Code app, allowing newcomers to go about ‘normal life’ in Macau (check-in at hotels, visit casinos / malls, eat at restaurants / bars, etc.).
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Those in yellow must undergo a self-test once a day for the first five days in Macao and upload their results to the Macao Health Code app; if any of the test results are negative, users will be given a code red and will have to undergo home quarantine; users who return five consecutive negative results will be assigned a green code.
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After arriving in Macau, visitors are not restricted as to when they can leave the SAR, unless they are traveling to mainland China, in which case they must wait nine days.
Visitors to Macau do NOT need to undergo any form of centralized quarantine upon arrival in the SAR.
On Saturday, December 24, 2022, bus services will resume between Hong Kong and Macau via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The return service will operate between Prince Edward in Hong Kong and the northernmost territory of the Macau Peninsula and the southernmost island of Taipa.
Those living in mainland China can also travel more easily to Macau.
READ MORE: No more tests for COVID on arrival in Macao SAR
Additionally, traveling in and out of Hong Kong has also become easier recently.
READ MORE: Hong Kong lifts quarantine requirements for overseas arrivals
READ MORE: The Hong Kong border no longer screens departures to the mainland
What about Taiwan?
Since 2001, direct ferry services have made it much easier to travel between mainland China and parts of Taiwan.
The routes between Xiamen, Fujian Province-Kinmen Island as well as Fuzhou, Fujian Province-Matsu Island have made it easier for Taiwanese and mainland Chinese to do business, visit family and sightseeing.
Due to COVID-19, the lines have been out of service since February 2020.
Are they ready to come back?
We can’t be sure yet. However, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Zhu Feng Lian said on December 22 that they “will not obstruct” the reopening of roads.
Zhu acknowledged that the roads would help boost mainland China-Taiwan engagement, especially during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday.
READ MORE: Authorities respond to ‘2+3’ quarantine policy rumors
[Cover image via Weibo/@中国日报]
