The Macau government plans to introduce new measures requiring the presentation of a negative nucleic acid test (NAT) result to enter commercial establishments in the future, according to head of the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Health Bureau (SSM), Leong Iek Hou.
The move comes as Macau reported zero confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community for a third consecutive day, with total cases – including those in quarantine – down to single digits.
Despite the improved numbers, strict epidemic control measures remain in place including at casinos which reopened on Saturday but are limited to just 50% of usual staffing levels. As reported by Inside Asian Gaming, only a handful of gaming tables are currently operational on the city’s once bustling gaming floors, while retail malls remain closed.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Leong said, “If we maintain zero cases in the community this week, and zero cases in the NAT testing on 30 and 31 July, we will be very relieved.
“The government will slowly relax the measures after zero cases, but it is impossible to relax them all at once. For example, it will not resume the measure of 400 people gathering at once.”
“The NAT testing on 30 and 31 July is very important.”
Asked what measures the government will introduce next week, Leong said, “The government is keeping an eye on the changes in the epidemic and is studying the measures for next week [but] in the future, do not rule out the need to do the NAT testing before entering some commercial establishments.
“Citizens cannot wear masks in some places, such as restaurants. The government intends to require citizens to produce NAT reports before entering restaurants, but relevant plans will be announced in the future.”
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