Macao now treats COVID-19 as an endemic disease, mildly infected may go to work

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Individuals no longer need to make a health declaration on the Macao Health Code, and the red and yellow codes will cease to function.

Macao's Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre has announced to treat COVID-19 as an endemic disease in Macao starting from 8 January 2023 (Sunday). Individuals no longer need to make a health declaration on the Macao Health Code. Infected people with mild symptoms may go to work.

The Response and Coordination Centre reminded that infected people should rest at home as much as possible, must not participate in gathering activities, avoid taking public buses or light rail, and do not engage in activities without wearing a mask such as eating in restaurants. If it is unavoidable, they must wear a mask when taking public buses or light rail.

Meanwhile, the red and yellow codes in the Macao Health Code have also ceased to function. The Macao Health code will no longer be used for health declaration purposes when entering a venue or participating an activity; it will only be used as a tool to display NAT (Nucleic Acid Test) or RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) results under special circumstances (such as immigration). Establishments should not check the Macao Health Code of entrants.

Except for key establishments, namely, elderly homes or residential care homes, nurseries, non-higher education institutions and prisons; other departments, entities and enterprises generally do not need to conduct temperature screening on staff and other entrants.

All departments, entities and enterprises shall not require staff or other relevant persons without symptoms to be tested for COVID-19 unless there is a special need. Should there be any staff with suspected symptoms of COVID-19, especially those who are responsible for receiving or serving the public or taking care of the elderly, the infirm or the sick, it may be arranged for them to undergo a rapid antigen test for COVID-19.

Departments, entities and enterprises may decide the work arrangements for infected persons with mild symptoms according to their own nature and the positions of staff. It is advised to remove the infected persons from positions that may come into contact with a large number of public during the first five days of onset of symptoms. Suspected or infected persons should wear a mask properly when staying in the office.

These measures come as new variants of COVID-19 appear from time to time around the globe. Like the rest of the world, it is expected that Macao will also experience periodic peaks of COVID-19 from time to time. The Response and Coordination Centre advised all persons suitable for vaccination to get vaccinated and receive booster shots. Individuals should pay attention to personal and home hygiene, keep wearing a mask, and maintain social distancing. Every household should keep an appropriate amount of protective materials and over-the-counter drugs.

On the other hand, to further guarantee local residents access to essential anti-epidemic medicines and to prevent an excessive amount of anti-epidemic medicines and supplies from being transported outside Macao, the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau stated that the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR government has issued an Executive Order, restricting the transport of excessive quantities of four types of anti-epidemic medicines and supplies outside Macao for personal use or as consumer goods.

In accordance with the order, the transport of anti-epidemic medicines and supplies outside Macao has been restricted to a quantity of not more than five boxes or bottles of analgesics and antipyretics medicines, five boxes or bottles of cold and flu medicines, five boxes or bottles of antitussives and expectorants, and five boxes of COVID Rapid Antigen Tests.

Considering local residents living abroad or visiting Macao for routine follow-up treatments may require long-term medicines such as painkillers, cough medicines, etc., individuals who can provide a doctor's prescription will not be affected by this restriction. These individuals are therefore advised to have a valid prescription ready for verification when they are transporting excessive amounts of anti-epidemic medicines and supplies outside Macao.

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