The Chief Executive of Macau, Ho Iat-seng announced Monday the abolition of the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre, effective immediately.
The center was first established on 21 January 2020 as a department of the Macau SAR Government after the first case of COVID-19 infection was detected. Its role was to coordinate the overall planning and operations of various public and private entities in the prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 infections.
However, since December last year the government has been winding back its virus protection measures and on 8 January 2023 dropped almost all remaining border restrictions.
In abolishing the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre, the government cited the reduction of the severity and impact of infections globally, but added, “Although novel coronavirus infection is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, it still poses a certain threat to human health, and the Health Bureau and other relevant departments will still take appropriate preventive and control measures according to the changes in the pandemic situation.”
Starting from today, the former “Anti-epidemic Page” of Macau will be renamed the “Novel Coronavirus Infections Page” and will be incorporated into the Health Bureau’s thematic webpage for regular management. COVID-19 data will be updated on this page once a week.
The Guaranteed Mask Supply for Macau Residents Scheme will continue to operate.
Macau endured some of the longest running COVID-19 restrictions globally and twice saw all casinos closed as a result of outbreaks – the first in February 2020 for 15 days and then again for a week in July 2022.
