A total of 2,627 people are undergoing medical quarantine in 12 hotels in Macau as of 1 April 2020 as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the SAR reached 41.
Among those in quarantine, 2,418 people are local residents and the rest non-resident workers from mainland China. Many of those, however, will be allowed leave and return home in the coming days provided they test negative for coronavirus.
As per new border restrictions implemented by the Macau government last week, all people entering Macau, other than mainland China residents, must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
However, a special arrangement that had been in place by which Macau residents returning home via Hong Kong International Airport were being picked up by designated shuttle bus and brought back via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge ended on 31 March.
Macau residents returning from foreign countries can now only transit via mainland China and the SAR government has suggested residents “consider cautiously and seriously” whether they now return.
An MGTO official also said it was difficult to know whether to continue or cease use of the 12 quarantine hotels over the coming days given the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, Sheraton Grand Macao at Sands Cotai Central became the 12th designated quarantine hotel, utilizing 500 guest rooms with another 1,500 available if required.
The official noted that centralizing residents who need to quarantine in one hotel is much more effective in management and preventive works, but the government still needs to optimize the planning and usage of hotels.
The other 11 hotels are Pousada Marina Infante Hotel, Golden Crown China Hotel, Regency Art Hotel, Grand Coloane Resort, Metropole Hotel, Treasure Hotel, San Tung Fong Commercial Inn South Wing, Grand Lapa, Grand Harbour Hotel, Royal Dragon Hotel and Jai Alai Hotel.
