MACAO, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Macao authorities will further tighten the entry policy to curb imported COVID-19 infections, the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s chief executive said on Tuesday, after Hong Kong's similar upgrading of entry policy.

Macao SAR's Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng said the residents of the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong SAR and the Taiwan region who have been overseas in the past 14 days, will be barred from entering Macao from Wednesday.

Macao authorities had banned the entry of foreigners since March 19, including foreign work permit holders.

The chief executive added that all people, including Macao residents, who have been to the Hong Kong SAR and the Taiwan region in the past 14 days should stay in a 14-day medical observation in a designated facility when entering Macao.

Macao residents who have been overseas in the past 14 days will also be put under a 14-day quarantine in a designated facility upon returning Macao.

Ho also said the flight transfer service in the Macao International Airport will be suspended.

The Macao SAR has reported a total of 14 COVID-19 cases since March 16, all of which were imported ones.