[The latest official news]  The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) will launch from 17 June a special ferry service between Taipa Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport.

The introduction of the special ferry service – with assistance and support from the Hong Kong SAR Government – seeks to facilitate the return to Macao of Macao residents currently overseas, and to enable those located in Macao due to the novel coronavirus alert and who wish to return to their place of origin, to do so.

The news was announced during today’s press conference held by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre.

Ferry sailings between Macao and Hong Kong have been under suspension since 4 February.

The special ferry service will be provided by TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet from 17 June to 16 July inclusive. There will be two sailings inbound to Macao and two sailings outbound each day during the period. Services inbound to Taipa Ferry Terminal will set off at 2pm and 11pm respectively. Those outbound to Hong Kong International Airport will set off daily at 9am and 7pm.

Macao residents currently staying overseas and who wish to take the special ferry service in order to facilitate travel home must have flight tickets to Hong Kong International Airport and arrive there via services landing between the hours of 4am and 10pm on any day from 17 June to 16 July inclusive. The fee for each ferry ticket purchased at Hong Kong International Airport is 270 Hong Kong dollars. For those using ferry services departing Macao, each ticket costs 270 patacas and can be purchased at several locations.

Macao residents wishing to use the special ferry service must register online, via https://aeees.dses.gov.mo/HKMAC/, 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. The registration system will open from the stroke of midnight on 12 June.

For either cancellation of a ferry service booking or an alteration regarding online registration, Macao residents should telephone (853) 8396 9233 between the hours of 9am and 9pm Macao time, or email hkmac@dses.gov.mo.

During airport check-in overseas, Macao residents wishing to take the special ferry service must present to airline staff: their travel booking; the document they will use to enter Macao (i.e. a Macao ID card or Macao SAR passport); and the confirmation letter of online registration for the ferry service. Once aircraft boarding procedures are completed, such travellers must take a digital photograph of the boarding pass and send it to (853) 6233 1518 via the WhatsApp message service. Should any traveller experience difficulties in completing the relevant procedures, they should call the Government’s 24-hour travel hotline on (853) 2833 3000. 

Returnees will be required under epidemic-control measures to undergo on arrival a 14-day period of medical observation at designated facilities.

Those wishing to take the outbound ferry to Hong Kong International Airport can only do so if they are joining a flight operated by certain designated airlines (please see below) and where the flight departs between the hours of noon to 3am inclusive, during the period of 17 June to 16 July inclusive. Travellers wishing to use the airport-bound ferries on 16 July, can only do so if their flight departs before 11.59pm that day.

Although neither Emirates nor Singapore Airlines are on the designated list, people wishing to use those carriers in conjunction with the special ferry service to Hong Kong International Airport should enquire via the ferry companies about their eligibility to do so.

Use of the special ferry service might not be permitted in conjuction with certain flights bound for the United States of America or for other journeys with further connecting flights. Intended travellers should ask the ferry companies for further information on those topics.

Should a person be unable to board a flight due to its cancellation or for other reasons, that traveller is allowed take the next available ferry back to Macao, provided they comply with Macao epidemic-control measures in place at the relevant time. (More)