• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Macau CPPCC rep tips vaccine cert for visitors not Covid test

Mar 11, 2021 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Rest of Asia, Top of the deck  


Macau CPPCC rep tips vaccine cert for visitors not Covid test

A Macau delegate to a key advisory body to the Chinese government has tabled a proposal in Beijing that Macau should waive the need for visitors to produce a ‘negative’ Covid-19 test certificate, as long as the individuals concerned have proof they have been vaccinated against the disease.

Alex Lao Nga Wong is a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which on Wednesday concluded its latest sitting in the Chinese capital, as part of the so-called ‘Two Sessions’; the other being that for the National People’s Congress (NPC).

Mr Lao, who has a travel agency business in Macau, suggested that such waiving of a test certificate for vaccinated travellers could be mutual for trips either side of the Macau-mainland boundary.

Such steps could “revitalise Macau’s tourism businesses and economy”, he was cited as saying in Beijing by Macau’s Chinese-language media.

Some health experts – including Macau health officials – have said a vaccination scheme does not necessarily remove the need for testing of travellers for Covid-19 infection.

China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, had mentioned on Sunday – as cited by mainland media – the possibility of some form of mutual recognition between China and other, unidentified, jurisdictions, regarding citizens’ Covid-19 vaccination record and health status.

The head of the Macao Government Tourism Office said on Tuesday that the city was seeking further guidance from the mainland China authorities regarding a so-called vaccination passport programme announced by the latter, to enable people to travel more easily outside mainland boundaries.

Francis Lui Yiu Tung, vice chairman of Macau casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd and also a CPPCC delegate, said last week he anticipated that the expansion in mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong of Covid-19 vaccination programmes would have a positive impact in the second half this year, on the outlook for the Macau tourism market.

Mainland China is presently the only place to have a largely quarantine-free travel bubble with Macau. But mainlanders currently need a ‘negative’ test certificate for Covid-19, with a seven-day validity, in order to enter Macau.

Mr Lao – along with the 12 Macau delegates to the NPC – also urged the mainland authorities to resume automated services for processing applications under the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) exit-visa initiative. IVS is used by independent travellers from the mainland that wish to come to Macau.

The entrepreneur additionally suggested the central government should once again permit the sale online and offline to mainland consumers, of so-called “bundled” trips to Macau – i.e. flight and hotel in a single package. Such sales were suspended previously. Prior to Chinese New Year on February 12, there were reports of an uptick in Covid-19 infection cases on the mainland. According to media reports, the situation seems now to have stabilised.

In the context of Macau tourism, “package tours” are typically conducted via overland transport, and feature lower-value visitors escorted by a guide. Such trips also remain suspended for now.


  • tweet
Related articles
  • GEN Singapore posts US$29mln 1Q profit, up sequentially
    GEN Singapore posts US$29mln 1Q...

    May 12, 2022  

  • Casino firm Paradise Co slips to negative EBITDA in 1Q
    Casino firm Paradise Co slips to...

    May 12, 2022  

More news
  • Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in Suncity, Summit Ascent
    Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in...

    May 19, 2022  

  • Okada Manila chair Manuel Lazaro dies aged 87
    Okada Manila chair Manuel Lazaro dies...

    May 19, 2022  


Latest News

Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in Suncity, Summit Ascent

Andrew Lo takes controlling stake in Suncity, Summit Ascent

May 19, 2022  

Andrew Lo Kai Bong (pictured), a senior executive at Hong Kong-listed casino investor Suncity Group Holdings Ltd, acquired controlling shares in the firm with effect from May 13, according to...
Read More
Okada Manila chair Manuel Lazaro dies aged 87

Okada Manila chair Manuel Lazaro dies aged 87

May 19, 2022  

Bloomberry plans 3rd Philippine casino, coastal near Manila

Bloomberry plans 3rd Philippine casino, coastal near Manila

May 19, 2022  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day


US$403.9 million

Interim normalised profit after tax and amortisation reported by slot machine maker and online gaming content provider Aristocrat Leisure



Most Popular

  • Wynn CEO, Macau execs in base pay cut in return for sharesWynn CEO, Macau execs in base pay cut in return for shares May 17, 2022
  • Macau repeat visitors denied visa by China says BernsteinMacau repeat visitors denied visa by China says Bernstein May 16, 2022
  • U.S. says Steve Wynn ‘foreign agent’, lobbied for ChinaU.S. says Steve Wynn ‘foreign agent’, lobbied for China May 18, 2022
  • Alleged bribe offer to ex-Wynn manager probed by HK, MacauAlleged bribe offer to ex-Wynn manager probed by HK, Macau May 17, 2022
Copyright 2014-2022 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us