Macau will lower the cost of obtaining a COVID-19 virus test at four official testing locations from its current MOP$120 to MOP$100 (US$12.50) from this Thursday 5 November.
The revised fee will be implemented at Taipa Ferry Terminal, Macao Forum, Kiang Wu Hospital and the University Hospital after the SAR government reached an agreement with the China Certification and Inspection Group (CCIC) in Macau.
The testing fee at the eight virus test points in Macau casinos, which are only open to visitors, have not yet announced and reduction in testing fees and will remain at MOP$120 for the time being.
Macau and mainland China authorities currently require visitors to provide a negative virus test result obtained within the previous seven days in order to cross the borders. The Macau government also requires all individuals to submit a negative result from within the past seven days to enter any of its gaming floors.
The testing fee in Guangdong Province is currently RMB$75 (US$11.20).
Although the two governments have not reached an anticipated agreement to extend the effective period of tests from seven days to 14 days, the reduced fee in Macau does send a positive message to those considering crossing the border.