Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U has said she is confident that this year’s Macau Grand Prix can attract 30,000 visitors despite recent Covid-19 flare-ups in the mainland.
Speaking following the three-day event’s traditional blessing ceremony, Ao Ieong said that over recent weekends, Macao’s visitor arrivals reached 30,000 so she was not too worried that the novel coronavirus cases in the mainland would affect ticket sales. She underlined that according to her previous experience, hosting the Grand Prix can help Macao attract tourists and rebuild their faith in the city’s tourism. However, she stressed that it was important that Macao continues its Covid-19 prevention and control measures.
Asked whether there will be a concrete timeline for lifting the mandatory quarantine for arrivals from Hong Kong, Ao Ieong said that the government would stay aligned with the mainland’s Covid-19 prevention and control guidelines.
Sports Bureau President Pun Weng Kun, when asked how many racers are still undergoing quarantine said that eight are still in quarantine hotels.
Pun also pointed out that this year, for the first time, the organisers launched a bundle discount – offering 30 per cent off the price of two tickets – which he thought could attract more spectators to the races.
Ao Ieong said that she was still checking with the Health Bureau (SSM) whether she was eligible to have the Covid-19 booster shot already in the current first phase of the third-jab drive. She underlined that she was looking forward to having her third Covid-19 shot, The Macau Post Daily reported.
