According to a statement, a Level 1 Travel Alert has been issued for Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, the authorities have advised Macau residents who plan to travel to Iraq, Kuwait and Yemen, or who are already in those locations, to pay heightened attention to their personal safety.
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) also renewed its warning for Macau residents not to travel to Iran and Israel, urging those who remain in those countries to strengthen their safety measures and leave “as soon as possible.”
In the statement, the government stressed that Macau residents currently in the affected countries or regions of the Middle East should closely follow announcements from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If necessary, they may contact the Chinese embassy in the country where they are staying, the Global Emergency Call Centre for Consular Protection and Assistance, or the Tourism Hotline.
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The authorities also warned of disruptions to air transport systems in the Middle East and Europe, recommending that residents monitor possible flight changes and maintain close contact with airlines.
The statement also noted that the Chinese Embassy in Israel issued a new notice on Sunday urging Chinese citizens in the country to strengthen safety measures and arrange transfer and evacuation.
Between March 1 and 23, the Tourism Hotline received 18 requests for information or assistance related to the Middle East. Around 80 percent of those cases concerned Macau residents stranded in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, as well as the registration of residents in the region. The remaining 20 percent were related to cancellations and refund requests for group tours that had not yet begun.
