HK-Macau travel bubble delayed again due to new Covid-19 case
The travel bubble between Hong Kong and Macau has been delayed due to a new case of Covid-19 detected in Hong Kong.
Macau.- The long-awaited travel bubble between Hong Kong and Macau was closer than ever to being announced but a new Covid-19 case in Hong Kong has delayed the plans again.
Macau health official Tai Wa Hou said more time was needed to allow Macau to observe the latest developments in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong hadn’t recorded a community case since June 7, which means the city had reached the 28 days without a local Covid-19 case that Macau set as a condition for a travel bubble.
The two cities were in advanced conversations over easing restrictions. Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd said it expected the possible travel bubble could allow 3,000 fully vaccinated visitors per day during the initial phase of reopening.
However, Tai Wa Hou has said that any relaxation of restrictions for people travelling from Hong Kong will require “in-depth communication and assessment” with the relevant mainland authorities.
Some 51 hotels had expressed an interest in Macau’s plans to allow quarantine-free inbound travel from Hong Kong. One of the key matters being discussed was access to casino floors, most likely with limits on visitor numbers.
Mainland China will continue to be the only country to have a largely quarantine-free travel bubble with Macau although the former city is looking to establish a travel bubble with other nearby Asian regions.
Macau continues easing quarantine requirements on Guangdong cities
Authorities have removed Forshan City from the list of regions that require mandatory quarantine. Macau had already announced that people coming from Shenzhen city and Maoming city no longer need to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
In the same statement, Macau warned residents not to travel to areas considered high-risk for Covid-19 infections.
In June, Macau resumed Covid-19 countermeasures in casinos as a result of a rise in cases in the neighbouring province.
People who enter the casinos must wear masks and have their temperature checked. They also have to present the Macao Health Code, the government document that classifies health status by colour: red, yellow, and green.
