Macau’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre has further eased border restrictions for people entering the SAR from Guangdong Province, extending the validity period of negative COVID-19 tests from 48 to 72 hours.
The Sunday announcement came just five days after the testing requirement had been eased from 24 to 48 hours, with the Centre citing an improved epidemic situation in neighboring areas for the easing of restrictions.
The new rule came into effect from midnight on Monday morning and applies to anyone entering Macau via land or sea Zhuhai checkpoints.
“Non-Macau residents who fail to present such proof will be denied entry, whereas Macau residents will be required to undergo testing at once,” it said.
The decision to ease restrictions will come as welcome news to Macau’s gaming and tourism operators, who saw gross gaming revenues plummet to an 18-month low in March due to COVID-19 outbreaks across parts of mainland China and associated travel disruptions.
Analysts are expecting GGR to fall further in April as Beijing maintains its zero-COVID policy.
