This
is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office
at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong. OSAC encourages travelers to use
this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Macau. For
more in-depth information, review OSAC’s China pagefor
original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of
which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC
password.
Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of
State at the date of this report’s publication advises exercising
increased caution for travel to Macau due to the novel coronavirus.
However, the Travel
Advisory in effect prior to the outbreak assessed Macau at Level 1, indicating
travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s
report, Understanding
the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Overall Crime and Safety Situation
Crime Threats
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed Macau as being a LOW-threat
location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong is not aware of any specific threats
against U.S. citizens. Exercise the same caution you would in any large city,
and pay particular attention to personal belongings while in crowded areas and
while traveling on public transportation. Petty street crime, including pick
pocketing, occasionally occurs in tourist areas, including in and around
casinos and the airport.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should
Leave Behind, The Overseas Traveler’s
Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud, Taking Credit,, Hotels: The Inns and
Outs and Considerations for
Hotel Security.
Cybersecurity Issues
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for
Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile
Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones:
Critical or Contraband?
Transportation-Safety Situation
Road Safety and
Road Conditions
Traffic moves on the left in
Macau, and roads are narrow and winding. Traffic is generally heavy throughout
the day. Most visitors to Macau choose not to drive. Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best
Practices, and Evasive Driving
Techniques; and read the State Department’s
webpage on driving
and road safety abroad.
Taxis are inexpensive at the
airport, ferry terminal, and gaming venues. Public buses are also inexpensive
and frequent, but you may have difficulty finding them outside of major tourist
areas. An affordable and reliable bus service is available connecting Macau
with Hong Kong via a new international bus station.
Aviation/Airport
Conditions
Macau
International Airport (MFM) has direct flights from multiple regional and
international destinations, and can be a good alternative to Hong Kong
International Airport (HKG), located a half-hour’s drive to the east via the
newly built Hong Kong – Macau – Zhuhai Bridge (HZMB). As there is no direct
commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Macau,
the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has not assessed the government of
Macau’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil
Aviation Organization aviation safety standards. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit:
Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.
Other Travel
Conditions
Ferry service connecting Macau
with Hong Kong and Shenzhen runs regularly from two different ports (Taipa and
Outer Harbor). Regular and high-speed ferries are generally reliable and safe. However,
there have been two accidents involving ferries between Hong Kong and Macau in
recent years: the first, in 2012, resulted in 39 deaths; the second, in 2015,
had no fatalities, but over 100 injuries.
Macau customs
authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation
into or export from Macau of items such as firearms, ivory, certain categories
of medications, and other goods. Review the Macau Customs Service website for further information.
Terrorism Threat
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed Macau as being a LOW-threat
location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government
interests. The Consulate is not aware of any
indigenous terrorist groups operating in Macau. While U.S. and other
international travelers in Macau are subject to the worldwide threat from
international terrorism, there is no information to suggest any specific
terrorism threats directed against U.S. citizens or interests in Macau.
Although there has not been a terrorist incident against U.S. interests in
Macau, we cannot rule out the possibility of a lone-wolf actor or transnational
terrorist organization attempting to carry out an attack.
Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed Macau as being a LOW-threat
location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S.
government interests. Public protests, demonstrations, and strikes occur, but
are seldom violent. The civil unrest common to nearby Hong Kong since mid-2019
has not affected Macau. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Post-specific Concerns
Political
Sensitivities
On December 7, 2019, authorities
denied entry for two private U.S. travelers into Macau. Both Americans are
long-term residents of Hong Kong and hold senior positions in the Hong Kong
American Chamber of Commerce. The two denials of entry occurred at
approximately the same time but at two different ports of entry into Macau. Authorities
provided neither traveler a specific reason for the denial, nor were they
formally detained.
Environmental
Hazards
Typhoon season
runs July through September. The Macau
Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau issues typhoon warnings an average
of six times each season. The Bureau has a good notification and monitoring system.
If the Macau Government announces a Typhoon Signal 8 or above or a Black
Rainstorm Warning, many facilities in Macau close, and bridges may close to
traffic.
Air pollution is
increasingly serious in Macau. Congested vehicle traffic and mainland factories
pump out ozone, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides, leading to a visible haze in the
atmosphere on most days. Average roadside pollution levels exceed WHO
guidelines by 200% and continue to deteriorate, creating health risks for those
with allergies, asthma, or cardiac problems.
Critical
Infrastructure Concerns
There have
been no major problems affecting critical infrastructure in Macau; however,
there is a nuclear power plant just across the border in mainland China.
Privacy Concerns
Macau has very strict privacy
laws.
Personal Identity
Concerns
There are no
legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults (age
16 and above) or the organization of LGBT events in Macau. Reports of discrimination based
on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation are infrequent. Review the State Department’s webpage on
security for LGBTI+
travelers.
With regard to
accessibility, the historic part of Macau is hilly and the pavement uneven, but
the newer parts, particularly around the Cotai strip, are flat, and the streets
and sidewalks are wide. The airport is accessible, and the ferries from Hong
Kong to Macau are accessible with assistance from the staff. Major hotels and
casinos offer widely available shuttle buses, but none is equipped with special
equipment to accommodate the physically disabled. Review the State Department’s
webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.
Police Response
General police support and their response
to foreign victims of crime is good. The Macau Police Force is good in terms of
professionalism and service.Many Macanese police officers
speak Cantonese only, but the police will provide interpreters for English
speakers.
Incidents of police corruption, bribery,
or harassment are rare. However, if such incidents do occur, contact the
Commission against Corruption at (853) 2832 6300 or ccac@ccac.org.mo.
The local police emergency number
is 999. Numerous police stations are
located throughout the various districts and communities of Macau. Response
time to emergencies varies, but is generally satisfactory. Operators speak
Portuguese, Cantonese, and Mandarin. In non-emergency
situations, victims of crime can call the 24-hour crime reporting hotline at 993 to report
crime. U.S.
citizens who are victims of crime can also contact the American Citizen
Services (ACS) unit at the U.S. Consulate. Download the State Department’s Crime
Victims Assistance brochure.
While the Macau
government does not have an office devoted solely to crime victim assistance,
the social welfare department offers support to crime victims. The support
includes monetary benefits, health care, psychological services,
and counseling. In addition, the Macau Tourism Crisis Management Office maintains a tourism hotline (Tel:
+853-2833-3000) for visitors to Macau who encounter emergency situations.
Medical Emergencies
Emergency Ambulance: 999
Several major hospitals in Macau
have adequate medical facilities, and Kiang Wu and Conde de Sao Januario hospitals
are able to provide emergency medical care. Highly developed medical facilities
and trained personnel are available in Hong Kong, which is about an hour by
jetfoil and 10 minutes by helicopter from Macau. For medical assistance, refer
to the Consulate’s Medical
Assistance page.
Consider obtaining temporary
medical insurance before leaving the United States. Medical facilities in Macau
require foreigners to pay for treatment first and then seek reimbursement
through their insurance company. Hospitals, including emergency rooms, also
will not usually admit foreigners as patients without payment up front, meaning
one must either have insurance that the hospital will accept or make a deposit/put
up a guarantee prior to admission. The U.S. Department of State strongly
recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling
internationally. Review the State Department’s webpage on insurance
overseas.
Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance
In addition to routine childhood
and adult immunizations, recommended vaccines include:
- Hepatitis A: Recommended for most
travelers.
- Typhoid: Recommended for
risk-averse travelers desiring maximum pre-travel preparation.
- Hepatitis B: Recommended for
prolonged stays; frequent short stays in this or other high risk countries;
adventure travelers; the possibility of acupuncture, dental work, or tattooing;
all healthcare workers; the possibility of a new sexual partner during stay;
and travelers with high potential to seek medical care in local facilities.
Consider for short stays in travelers desiring maximum pre-travel preparation.
Increase awareness regarding safe sex and body fluid/blood precautions.
- Japanese encephalitis: Not recommended
for Macau as the risk is minimal. Travelers should be aware of the limited risk
in rural areas in the New Territories of nearby Hong Kong. Transmission season
is from April to October. Consider for risk-averse travelers desiring maximum
pre-travel protection and traveling for prolonged stays or frequent short stays
in other risk areas. Not recommended for urban areas or short visits to usual
rural tourist sites. Exercise evening and nighttime insect precautions.
- Rabies: Take bat bites seriously,
and seek post-exposure prophylaxis even if already immunized.
- Influenza: Flu (including 2009
H1N1) transmits throughout the year in the tropics; all travelers are at increased
risk. Recommended for all travelers. Consider a standby treatment course of
oseltamivir for unvaccinated travelers, especially those at high risk for
complications.
The CDC offers additional
information on vaccines and health guidance for Macau.
Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with
Medication, I’m Drinking What in My
Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of
Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for
Travel, and
Fire Safety Abroad
OSAC Country Council Information
The Hong
Kong/Macau OSAC Country Council meets several times a year. Individuals
interested in participating in the Country Council or connecting with the
Regional Security Officer (RSO) should contact OSAC’s East Asia-Pacific
Team.
U.S. Consulate Contact
Information
26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
Hours: Mon-Fri, 0830-1730
Website: https://hk.usconsulate.gov/
Switchboard: +852 2523-9011
Other U.S. Diplomatic Posts in China
- Consulate Chengdu, No. 4 Lingshiguan Road, Chengdu,
Sichuan, PRC 610041. (28) 8558-3992.
- Consulate
Guangzhou: Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town,Tianhe District,
Guangzhou, China. 020-3814-5000.
- Consulate
Shenyang: No. 52, 14 Wei Road,
Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China 110003. (24) 2322-1198.
- Consulate
Wuhan: Room 4701, New World International
Trade Tower I, No. 568, Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan 430022.
027-8555-7791.
Helpful Information
Before
you travel, consider the following resources:
