Macau will not relax border measures with Hong Kong

A rise in asymptomatic cases in Hong Kong has led Macau to maintain border restrictions with the city.

Macau.- Authorities will not relax border measures with Hong Kong yet, according to Alvis Lo Iek Long, clinical director at Macau public health facility Conde S. Januário Hospital. 

Mr. Lo said the decision had been taken due to a rise in Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong. Despite a reduction in the tally of infections, as of Sunday, Hong Kong were still recording cases categorised as of ‘unknown origin’, leading to the risk of what Mr Lo called an “invisible transmission chain” that could pose a fresh risk to public health, particularly via people that were asymptomatic.

“For now we are not relaxing the issuance validity period of the virus test for Hong Kong travellers,” Mr Lo said.

Anyone wishing to visit Macau from Hong Kong must have a certificate against Covid-19 infection issued within 24 hours of intended arrival. Even then, such travellers must still undergo a 14-day quarantine on arrival.

Mr Lo added that the Macau government would review the situation after the October 1 National Day holiday.