The number of visitors arriving in Macau from mainland China fell 69.2% year-on-year to 2.29 million in the first quarter, according to statistics published by the Office of the Secretary for Security.
Of those, around 1.13 million Chinese visitors arrived via the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS), a decrease of 70.5% year-on-year.
The government also released its Q1 Crime and Law Enforcement Works report on Monday, which usually analyzes the impact of crime on Macau’s public security caused by the gaming sector. However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic having a huge impact on the sector, the government decided not to assess this metric in the first quarter.
A total of 2,412 criminal files were opened in Macau in 1Q20, down 28.3% year-on-year. The files saw 530 mainlanders involved in 421 cases in Macau, 45 of whom held IVS visas. The cases mostly related to theft, deprivation of others’ freedom of movement, profiteering and fraud. Victims of crime included 515 mainlanders visiting Macau.
The Office of the Secretary for Security warned that more uncertainties may arise and would affect public order when border controls are gradually eased. As a result, security authorities will maintain “high vigilance” over public situations while proactively carrying out epidemic preventive works.
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