International travel restrictions in Macau are abolished, but quarantine requirements remain in place.
Unleashing the Vegas of Asia: Macau Lifts Border Restrictions After Two Long Years
It's time to pack your bags, folks! Macau's gates are finally opening wide after an almost two-year-long lockdown. Starting from Thursday, the Special Administrative Region welcomes international travelers once more.
Embracing Life Post-Covid-19
Are you ready to hit the tables in style? Macau's chief executive, Ho Iat Seng, has announced Executive Order No. 166/2022, green-lighting entry for residents of whitelisted countries. Whitelist nations include South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Like old times, these visitors can indulge in casino gaming floors in the SAR, although they'll have to endure a seven-day quarantine mandatorily.
As the quarantine curtains lift, Macau takes a significant step away from China's strict zero-Covid-19 policy, paving the way for a potential reduction in quarantine periods in the near future.
A New Dawn for Tourism
Although a massive tourist influx isn’t guaranteed, casinos can anticipate incremental gains in the upcoming months. With the end of travel restrictions, overseas tourists are likely to venture into Macau. To encourage traveled, arrivals will undergo a COVID-19 test during the seven-day isolation period. They'll also need to provide proof of hotel booking for their mandatory quarantine stay.
Macau's casinos and local businesses thrive on foreign spending, a fact Beijing strongly supports. However, to see any meaningful recovery, a sizable increase in visitation is essential. Comparing 2019's 39.4 million visitors to the mere 3.5 million in the first half of 2022 underscores the need for continued growth.
Building Macau as a fortress against COVID-19 continues, with vaccination efforts ongoing. Vaccines will also be available to international travelers, but they'll have to pay $125 for on-site vaccination in Macau.
While details about COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements for non-residents travelers are unavailable for the latest updates (April-May 2025), it's recommended that travelers verify the information with official channels before their journey.
Bon voyage, travelers! Macau's waiting with open arms and flashing lights.
- Macau has announced that residents from whitelisted countries, such as South Korea, Japan, and the United States, will now be allowed to enter, ending a two-year border closure that began in 2020.
- International visitors to Macau will be required to quarantine for seven days upon arrival, but this could potentially be reduced in the future as Macau begins to depart from China's strict zero-Covid-19 policy.
- Despite the quarantine, Macau's casinos are hoping to attract more tourists, as the end of travel restrictions will enable foreign travelers to visit the SAR once more.
- To encourage tourism, Macau will be offering COVID-19 testing during the quarantine period and requiring proof of hotel booking for the mandatory stay.
