From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Macau Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Fri, 29 Aug 1997 12:40:10 GMT Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1455 Path: world!eliz Message-ID: <970829124010_76702.1202_CHN53-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: eliz@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 126 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Macau ============================================================ Macau - Consular Information Sheet August 28, 1997 Country Description: Macau is a Chinese territory administered by Portugal and will return to Chinese sovereignty on December 20, 1999. Facilities for tourism are well developed. Gambling, tourism, manufacturing and real estate development are the major factors in the rapid growth of Macau's economy. Macau includes a six-square-mile area on the mainland of China bordering the South China Sea, and the small, adjacent islands of Taipa and Coloane. Entry Requirements: Passports are required. A visa is not required for tourist visits of up to 60 days. Information on entry requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of Portugal at 2125 Kalorama Road N.W., Washington D.C. 20008, tel. (202) 328-8610, or from the American Consulate General in Hong Kong, tel. (852) 2523-9011. See also the Macau Government Home Page at http://www.macau.gov.mo/, or the Macau Tourist Information Bureau, Suite 2R, 77 Seventh Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10011, tel. (212) 206-6828. Medical Facilities: There are at least two major hospitals in Macau that have adequate medical facilities and are able to provide medical care in emergency situations. Highly developed medical facilities and trained personnel are available in Hong Kong, which is about an hour by jetfoil and ten minutes by helicopter from Macau. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is generally not valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven useful. The U.S. Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available via our home page and autofax service. For additional health information, the international travelers hotline of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be reached at (404) 332-4559, via the CDC autofax service at (404) 332-4565 or via the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/. Information on Crime: Petty street crime occasionally occurs in tourist areas in Macau, including in and around casinos. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and to the nearest U.S. consulate. Information on safeguarding valuables and protecting personal safety can be found in the Department of State pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad." It can be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 or via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs. Security Concerns: Violence relating to organized crime has increased in Macau and poses potential security concerns for the general public. Recent incidents in Macau include a shooting and the placement of several small incendiary devices at a hotel and government buildings. Thus far in 1997, sixteen people have been murdered in organized crime-related activities. All of these murders and most of the other acts of violence have occurred near casinos during early morning hours, but the two most recent incidents occurred during daylight hours. Because of increased violence, as of August 4 and until further notice, the U.S. Navy has made Macau off-limits for private travel by its service members visiting Hong Kong during port calls. Americans should exercise prudence and caution in visiting Macau and be aware of the possibility of violence. Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and do not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. U.S. Customs Restrictions: Visitors to Macau should be aware that the import into the United States of counterfeit brand name items such as watches, compact discs, computer software and clothing is prohibited by U.S. law. Aviation Oversight: The Macau International Airport officially opened on December 8, 1995. At present, the only airline company flying to the United States from Macau is Eva Air, a Taiwan based company. See the Macau International Airport Home Page at http://www.macau-airport.gov.mo/. Inasmuch as there are no U.S. carriers flying to or from Macau at present, the U.S. FAA has not yet assessed the Macau International Airport for safety or security. See the FAA home page at http://www.faa.gov/faahome.htm. Road Safety: Traffic moves on the left in Macau, and roads are narrow and winding. Traffic is generally congested throughout the day. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, as are public buses. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the American Consulate General in Hong Kong and obtain updated information on travel and security conditions in Macau. There is no U.S. diplomatic presence in Macau. Consular assistance for U.S. citizens is provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong. The address is 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong. The telephone number in Hong Kong is (852) 2523-9011; fax (852) 2845-4845. The mailing address is PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002; Internet home page: http://www.usis.gov/posts/hongkong. No. 97-137 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 22, 1996, adding sections on security, aviation, and U.S. customs restrictions. The information on security concerns previously included in the Public Announcement of May 20, 1997, has been incorporated in the Consular Information Sheet, and the Public Announcement is now cancelled. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories