Sands China and SJM Holdings have joined the list of Macau gaming concessionaires to launch vaccination programs for staff in support of the government’s anti-pandemic efforts.
Their respective initiatives come after the government expressed concerns over Macau’s low vaccination rate which had seen only 13.7% of the population receive their first dose of vaccine as of 25 May.
On Tuesday, Sands China said it has been proactively working with the Health Bureau to encourage and facilitate its team members and their families to get vaccinated against COVID-19, hosting a seminar on 27 May conducted by Dr Tai Wai Hou, clinical director of the Public Conde S. Januário Hospital Centre, and attended by 320 staff.
The company is also offering group vaccination sessions from 31 May to 3 June at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo, where an outreach vaccination station has been set up to administer vaccines. Sands said the Sinopharm vaccine is available during the first three days and the BioNTech vaccine is available on the fourth.
“As of 1 June, 2,300 team members and their families have registered for COVID-19 vaccinations at the station,” the company said.
Sands China President Dr Wilfred Wong explained, “The COVID-19 vaccine is the key to helping Macau achieve herd immunity as quickly as possible, and our thanks go to the Health Bureau for their collaboration on this seminar and vaccination drive.
“Sands China encourages team members to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families by helping Macao build an immune barrier together. We want people in Macao to be able to resume normal lives as soon as possible, and we hope this seminar and these onsite vaccination sessions help improve the vaccination rate.”
SJM is also doing its bit, announcing the launch of the “2021 SJM Vaccination Encouragement Programme.”
Under the programme, a vaccination center at Grand Lisboa’s Grand Ballroom will be set up on 21 and 22 June for SJM’s team members, families and friends. As an incentive, each staff member who gets vaccinated will be granted up to three days special paid leave and the chance to win lucky draw prizes.
“This programme is rolled out as an incentive to encourage our team members to get vaccinated, not only for personal protection, but also for building an immune barrier in Macau as soon as possible,” said SJM Chairman, Daisy Ho.
“Together with our team members, we will continue to support the government’s anti-pandemic measures to ensure the health and safety of our community.”
SJM employees who receive their first vaccinations on 21 and 22 June will be offered one-day paid leave on the day of vaccination, and an extra day of paid leave if they bring along their family members and friends to receive vaccinations. Should employees complete their second vaccinations by 31 August, they will be offered another day of paid leave.
Staff who are unable to join on the specified vaccination days but have successfully completed two vaccinations and registered with the company by 31 August are also entitled to two days paid leaves and enrolling in the Grand Lucky Draw.
