Some 19 countries and regions have currently imposed travel or visa restrictions related to the Covid-19 epidemic that cover residents or just travellers that passed through the Macau SAR, according to information published from the International Air Transport Association.
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued recommendations for international traffic that advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing Covid-19 outbreaks.
The organisation underlined that evidence shows that restricting the movement of people and goods during public health emergencies is ineffective in most situations and may divert resources from other interventions.
No confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in Macau for about a month, however, the city and Hong Kong are generally included in some of the several travel restrictions imposed internationally for Mainland China.
As of today some 95,416 Covid-19 cases and 3,285 related deaths were reported in Mainland China, with Hong Kong reporting 105 cases and two deaths. However while the progression of the epidemic seems to be on the downturn in Greater China, an increase in cases has been reported in countries such as Italy, South Korea and Iran.
When inquired yesterday if the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) would pro-actively negotiate with the countries and regions that have imposed travel restrictions for local residents, the department’s Head of Licensing and Supervision, Inês Chan, stated that “each country had its own concerns” when issuing the respective restrictions.
“Macau per example takes into consideration the situation in Mainland China and other factors,” Ms. Chan stated.
Macau itself currently demands that anyone that resided or has been in the Hubei Province in the past 14 days must present a certificate issued by a legal medical institution proving they are not infected with the novel coronavirus. This does not apply to passengers with a Macau SAR passport or passengers who reside in the city.
Meanwhile, passengers who have been in Iran, Italy or South Korea will be subject to quarantine for 14 days.
List of travel and visa restrictions including Macau SAR:
Bangladesh, Iran – Holders of passports from mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau can no longer obtain a visa on arrival, and where passengers arriving from these destinations must fill a Health Clearance Form provided by cabin crew:
Marshall islands – Passengers who have transited through or have been in China, Hong Kong or Macau after December 31 2019 are not allowed to enter the Marshall Islands
Mauritius – Passengers who reside or have been in China, Hong Kong or Macau, are not allowed to transit or enter Mauritius, while Mauritius nationals who have been in these three regions in the past 14 days will be placed in quarantine.
Mongolia – Passengers who reside or have been in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau since 1 January 2020 are not allowed to transit or enter Mongolia. This does not apply to Mongolia nationals.
Nauru – Passengers who have transited through or have been in China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 21 days will not be allowed to enter.
Nepal – Passengers with a Macau SAR passport can no longer obtain a visa on arrival and must obtain a visa before departure.
Palau – Passengers who have been in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter Palau.
Poland – Passengers and airline crew arriving directly or indirectly from China, Hong Kong, or Macau must fill-in the “health part” of the general declaration form provided by the cabin crew. The forms must be submitted to the Public Health Authorities at point of entry.
Phillippines – Passengers who have been in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter. This does not apply to nationals of the Philippines; spouses or children of nationals of the Philippines, or Permanent residents in the country, who will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days from their arrival into the Philippines.
Russia – Passengers with a Hong Kong or Macau passport are not allowed to enter the Russian Federation, apart from residents in Russia or airline crew.
Samoa – Passengers who have transited through or have been in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Singapore or Thailand must have spent a period of 14 days in quarantine before arrival in a country that is free from Covid-19. They must also present a medical clearance issued three days before arrival.
Saudi Arabia – Passengers who have been in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter. Does not include Saudi nationals.
Seychelles – Non-nationals and non-residents who have been in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 14 days are not allowed to transit or enter Seychelles. Residents of mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau are not allowed to transit or enter Seychelles
Soloman islands – Non-nationals and non-residents who have been in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter
St. Vicent and Grenadines – Passengers who have been in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter
Taiwan – Passengers who have been in mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter unless they are Taiwan residents or holders of passports from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau
Tonga – Passengers and airline crew arriving from or transiting through China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau are not allowed to enter Tonga. This does not apply if they have stayed in a country with no confirmed cases of Covid-19 for a period of minimum 14 days before entering but must have an official medical clearance undertaken within three days prior to arrival in Tonga.
Vanuatu – Passengers who have been in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 14 days are not allowed to enter. Passengers must complete an Incoming Passenger Health Declaration Form before boarding. Passengers who have been in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau since 31 December 2019 but who have spent the previous 14 days outside of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau must supply a copy of Medical Clearance Form 1, completed by a registered medical practitioner certifying that they are free from any respiratory illness.
Local residents can also consult the National Immigration Administration of the People’s Republic of China website – in Mandarin – for regularly updated information regarding immigration procedures for different countries.
Countries and jurisdictions that bar Chinese passport holders or any traveller that has been to mainland China in a certain period before arrival (several exceptions not included and generally not including nationals from the countries):
Angola, Armenia, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belize, Cook Islands, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Madagascar, Maldives, Micronesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Paraguay, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Vietnam
