The number of visitors arriving in Macau plummeted by 49.9% year-on-year on the first two days of Golden Week amid tightening travel restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
The dramatic drop-off in visitation comes as the number of confirmed cases of the virus in Macau reached six, including three cases of guests reported to have stayed at or visited at least three major Cotai integrated resorts. They include one known to be staying at Sands Cotai Central (SCC), possibly Sheraton, another staying at either SCC or The Venetian Macao and known to have visited both properties in recent days, and another staying at Galaxy Macau. All three are currently being treated in hospital.
In response to those reports, Sheraton issued a statement on Sunday in which it said, “As a matter of privacy, we do not comment on details related to guests who have stayed with us. We continue to work in close partnership with the authorities.
“The wellbeing of our guests is of the utmost importance to us. We are reinforcing our existing protocols for addressing public health issues. We encourage travellers and guests to pay close attention to guidance provided by their local authorities.”
While there have not yet been any instances of Macau casinos closing their doors, despite speculation that such extreme measures remain very much on the cards, a number of facilities have temporarily shut their doors including Club Cubic at City of Dreams and Poker King Club (PKC) at The Venetian Macao. PKC said it is “now closed for disinfection and will reopen upon further notice.”
In what shapes as another hit to Macau’s gaming operators, it was revealed on Sunday that the Border Gate at Gongbei will now close at 10pm each day – three hours earlier than its usual 1am closing time. Authorities also announced that visitors who have spent time in China’s Hubei province on the past 14 days will be prevented from entering Macau casinos, although it is unclear exactly how this measure will be implemented.
According to figures released by the Macao Government Tourism Office, visitor arrivals totalled 112,936 on Friday and Saturday, with 55,098 entering the SAR on the first day of the Chinese New Year holiday period – down 34.6% from 84,777 in 2019 – and 57,838 on day two, a decline of 59.0% from 141,306.
Mainland Chinese visitation fell at a greater rate than the average, down 55% to 66,102, including a 64.7% year-on-year decline on Saturday to 33,159.
Border gate arrivals continue to make up the bulk of arrivals however at 41,733 over the first two days of Golden Week, followed by 18,189 via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and 17,717 by plane.
The MGTO last year reported a total of 1,213,487 visitor arrivals over the Lunar New Year holiday, up 26.6% compared with 2018 numbers.
However, analysts had predicted last week that growing fears over the spread of the so-called “Wuhan virus” could pose a threat to Macau’s casino operators during Golden Week.
“We see an increasing near-term risk for short-term negative impact on Macau,” wrote Bernstein’s Vitaly Umansky, Eunice Lee and Kelsey Zhu in a Thursday note.
“Unfortunately, the widening infection rate is leading to growing concern around the negative effect on Macau and travel in general, especially during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday period.
“We have also learned that there are likely to be cancellations of some Chinese New Year casino and junket parties and events, which if true, signals that the Chinese New Year period will likely see softer business than anticipated.
“While at this stage we have not yet heard of any material cancellations of hotel booking or customer visits for the holiday period, the reality is that there will be cancellations.”
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