Three more rounds of mass testing are to take place this week as Covid-19 cases hit 784, Secretary for Social Affairs of Culture, Elsie Ao Ieong has announced.
“It is a crucial time. I understand that people are tired of this situation but we need these [Covid-19 prevention] measures to put an end to the pandemic,” she said at yesterday’s daily press conference.
Alvis Lo, Director of the Health Bureau, added: “With the next three mass tests we hope that we can stop the spread of the virus. We are sure that we can halt the growth of the pandemic.”
The city-wide nucleic acid tests (NAT) will take place today and tomorrow (book on this link), Wednesday-Thursday and Friday-Saturday.
Each round will last for 33 hours from 9 am to 6 pm of the following day, though ‘caring stations’ will be open for three extra hours in each round (open from 6 am). All persons, except children under three years old, must partake in these mass testing rounds. members of the public have to make three separate bookings.
Before going to NAT stations, everyone must first perform a rapid antigen test (RAT). Only individuals with negative results will be allowed into NAT stations.
If the RAT result is positive, regardless of whether you are symptomatic, you should call an ambulance (Tel: 119, 120 or 2857 2222) in addition to reporting it through the Macao Health Code.
After completing the 4th round of mass testing, everyone will need to take a RAT every day until 9 July.
Some 650 mainland Chinese health professionals have been called to help the city during this Covid-19 outbreak; 500 will be assisting with the citywide NATs.
Yellow-coded individuals (including those aged three or below), will be counted as part of the number of mass tests required by the health authorities, so it will not be necessary to repeat their NATs.
Three more testing stations will take the grand total to 64: 44 general stations, 13 self-paid and seven stations for people with special needs.
During this week’s mass-testing, all individuals will be given five rapid antigen tests (RAT) in the first round; 10 KN95 masks in the second round and finally five more RATs in the last round. Parents of children under three years old may present their child’s health codes to receive RATs and masks from the government.
