Travel restrictions nowadays are as fickle as Hong Kong’s summer weather. Luckily, we’ve researched the latest Covid-19 travel policies between Hong Kong and Macau so you don’t have to.
Shortly after government officials were in talks about resuming quarantine-free commuting between the two destinations, Hong Kong reported the first local Covid-19 case on June 24 and a second local Delta case yesterday.
Those cases ended Hong Kong’s 16-day streak of zero local infections. It also put a damper on the hope for lifting travel restrictions, which requires Hong Kong to go without a local Covid case for 28 consecutive days, between the two places.
While discussions are still ongoing, here are the latest travel restrictions for travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau.
At the moment, all border crossings between Hong Kong, mainland China and Macau remained closed except for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint. Ferries between Macau and Hong Kong are not in operation at the moment.
Most people are subject to a quarantine period if they want to travel to either place.
Travelling from Macau to Hong Kong
For those who haven’t travelled outside mainland China or Macau for the last 14 days, they’ll observe a 7- or 14-day quarantine period.
The government’s coronavirus website states that travellers will undergo compulsory quarantine at designated places including home, hotel, or other accommodation. The government’s news site states that travellers from Macau will undergo home quarantine.
If you have been fully vaccinated with a valid vaccination document:
- Quarantine for seven days and seven days of self-monitoring.
- Two compulsory Covid tests during the first seven days. One more test on the 12th day of arrival at Hong Kong.
- Fully vaccinated means that it’s been at least 14 days since a person has received all the recommended doses of Covid vaccine. Here’s a list of recognized Covid-19 vaccines in Hong Kong.
If you haven’t been vaccinated:
- Complete a 14-day quarantine period.
- Three Covid tests during the first 14 days. Two more compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th days of arrival at Hong Kong.
Travellers will receive specimen collection bottles for compulsory testing upon arrival. Otherwise, you can find these bottles at post offices and MTR stations. Here’s more information on Covid-19 testing on the government website.
Who is exempt from quarantine travelling in Hong Kong?
A Hong Kong resident in Macau? You may one of the exceptional few who don’t need quarantine.
Hong Kong residents who haven’t stayed in places other than Hong Kong, the mainland or Macau in the last 14 days before entering Hong Kong can join the Return2HK Scheme.
Return2HK Scheme exempts Hong Kong residents from the compulsory quarantine requirement. It’s suitable only for those who intend to resume residence in Hong Kong only.
Hong Kong residents with a valid Hong Kong ID card can use this online booking system to apply for quotas before entering Hong Kong.
The quotas for returning via Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is 2000 per day. The online booking system runs 24 hours. Quotas will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
After securing a quota on a specific entry date, you should get a Covid-19 (RT-PCR) nucleic acid test in one of the recognized institutions in Macau. You should take the test within the three days prior of your intended entry date.
With a Hong Kong ID card or valid identification documents, a confirmation of the Return2HK booking and proof of a negative RT-PRC nucleic acid test result, you can then enter Hong Kong from Macau without quarantine.
Not a resident? Here is an exemption list of people who don’t have to quarantine when travelling to Hong Kong.
Travelling from Hong Kong to Macau
Want to visit Macau for holiday? Macau’s Covid-19 travel restriction for Hong Kong travellers are more straightforward.
If you’ve visited places outside Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan in the last 21 days, you aren’t allowed to enter Macau. If you have stayed in Hong Kong for the last 14 days, you will need a negative Covid-19 (RT-PCR) nucleic acid test within 24 hours before arriving Macau.
After that, you will receive a 14-day quarantine at a designated place. If you’re a Macau resident, you can apply for one of the designated medical hotels that cost MOP400 per day. Non-residents can stay at one of the optional medical observation hotels. You will have to check with individual hotels on their latest room rates.
Here’s a list of recognized Covid-19 testing institutes in Hong Kong.
The story was published on June 28, 2021. Please check the most updated policy on the governments’ websites before making travel plans. Information is subject to change at any time
