The second of four public consultation sessions on proposed amendments to the city’s gaming law, originally scheduled for this Saturday 9 October, was postponed on Tuesday as Macau authorities raised efforts to prevent a major outbreak of COVID-19 across the city.
It is the second time in the space of a week that a consultation session has been cancelled after the first session, planned for 29 September was previously put on hold.
The latest postponement, announced via a statement from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), was one of a number of developments throughout the day after a 42-year-old Vietnamese non-resident worker was confirmed as Macau’s 75th COVID-19 case. The worker was linked to the three cases reported on Monday that saw the Government announce a third round of mass testing for all people in Macau.
A range of public entertainment venues have now been forced to suspend operations from Wednesday, including cinemas, theaters, indoor amusement parks, video game arcades, internet cafes, billiard and bowling rooms, sauna and massage establishments, beauty salons, gyms, health clubs, karaoke establishments, bars, nightclubs, discos, dance halls and cabarets.
Casinos are allowed to remain open, however Casino Oceanus – located near the ferry terminal on the Macau peninsula – has been closed for cleaning after being visited by a positive case last week.
SJM Resorts said Tuesday it “fully supports the Macau SAR Government in combating and controlling the virus, and strictly adheres to the disease-control measures stipulated by the Government.
“In accordance with the Government’s prevention and control guidelines, Casino Oceanus is closed temporarily for disinfection works, while the gaming areas in the Jai Alai building and Hotel Jai Alai remain open as usual.
“SJM stands firmly with the Government and all Macau residents in efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus, and to strive for a speedy recovery of the community.”
Macau has also tightened its border policy, with anyone wishing to leave the SAR now required to obtain a negative COVID-19 virus within the previous 24 hours, shortened from 48 hours previously.
Individuals travelling to Macau from high-risk countries – Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Turkey – must present proof of three negative virus tests within the previous seven days while those travelling from other countries must present a single negative test result from within the previous 48 hours. Individuals aged 12 or above must also present a vaccination certificate confirming they have completed their vaccine course at last 14 days prior to arrival, or prove they are unfit to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.
Zhuhai has maintained its mandatory 14 days of quarantine measures on individuals entering from Macau, although other cities in mainland China have not yet imposed such restrictions.
Authorities revealed on Tuesday that one of the four construction workers to test positive in this latest cluster had caught the same bus as a security guard who tested positive last week and had touched the same handrail. By directly connecting the group of construction workers to the group of security guards, thus connecting the two small clusters into one, health officials believe the situation can be brought under control.
