EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

Local residents who regularly cross the border with Zhuhai to be tested for Covid-19

Health authorities announced today that starting from midnight of tomorrow anyone coming from regions considered to be of a high risk of Covid-19 contagion, or anyone – including Macau residents – that crosses the border with Zhuhai at least more than three times a day will have to be tested and screened.

The tests will be conducted at the Macao Federation of Trade Unions Workers Stadium near the Gongbei Border and in an area near the Taipa Ferry Terminal, with Health Bureau Director Lei Chin Ion can “last for hours”, with the time defined by the medical staff.

“After this medical observation if no symptoms are observed they will be released. Any tourist that refuses to undergo the tests could incur in sanctions and mandatory medical isolation,” Lei noted.

When asked to define what areas would be defined as ‘high risk’, the SS Director noted that this assessment changed daily, and mentioned Guangdong, which recorded more than 1,000 confirmed cases as an example of a high-risk area, and Inner Mongolia, which only recorded 75 cases, as a low risk are.

Hong Kong is not currently considered a high-risk area.

“This measure might cause some annoyance to local residents but we ask for your understanding. The medical observations do not mean a quarantine at home will be required,” Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U said at the daily Novel Coronavirus Coordination and Response Centre press conference.

Starting from midnight of February 20 all non-resident ‘blue card’ workers wishing to enter Macau SAR and who have visited Mainland China in the 14 days prior to their entry will also need to undergo medical observation for 14 days in Zhuhai.

The Health Bureau Director revealed today that expenses incurred by quarantined non-resident workers will not exceed RMB10,000.

A total 31,000 entries by non-resident workers at local borders were reported yesterday, a 50 per cent year-on-year increase, with 22,000 exits reported, more 15 per cent.

The number of arrivals and departures in the city has increased for two consecutive days since the measure was announced on Monday.