Downtown Macao is likely to be hit by serious traffic jams as thousands of spectators flock to the Macau Grand Prix from 19 to 21 November, officials have warned.
Sports Bureau President and Macau Grand Prix Organising Committee (MGPOC) Coordinator Pun Weng Kun said he estimated that more than 10,000 tickets would be sold for the Grand Prix, adding that the number of seats had been reduced by 30 per cent again this year. He added that the number of racers had increased from 119 to 133 compared to last year.
MGPOC Infrastructure Subcommittee Coordinator Diamantino Augusto Torrado said that more than 150 metal barriers and a temporary footbridge will be installed in the area of S. Francisco Garden and nearby flyover, adding that the committee would arrange LED display panels and road signs in Avenida da Amizade.
He said barriers would be erected according to the following timetable:
Tuesday 16 November, from 3 pm: Estrada de Cacilhas, Estrada D. Maria II, Rua dos Pescadores.
Wednesday 17 November, from 10 am: Avenida da Amizade and Estrada de Cacilhas; and from 3 pm: Estrada dos Parses, Avenida da Amizade, Estrada D. Maria II;
Thursday 18 November, from 10 am: Avenida da Amizade.
Transport Bureau Coordination Department Chief Mok Soi Tou said that the first day of the Grand Prix was expected to see the most serious traffic jams. He pointed out that the traffic congestion could be expected mostly along Avenida do Colonel Mesquita, Avenida do Ouvidor Arriaga, Rua de Francisco Xavier Pereira and Avenida de Sidónio Pais. The MGPOC has arranged pick-up and drop-off points for drivers of private cars in Travessa da Amizade and Travessa do Reservatório. Mok also said that 50 bus routes will be temporarily affected.
Asked if racers would be affected due to the current Covid-19 flare-up in the mainland, Pun said that the mainland was recovering from the novel coronavirus pandemic steadily, pointing out that most racers are locals, as well as from the mainland and Hong Kong. He said he was confident that this would have a limited effect on the Grand Prix.
Pun added that all staff will be either fully vaccinated or tested every 48 hours. Spectators would only need to have their temperature checked and present their Macao Health Code. He also noted that mainland visitors will have to present a Covid-19 negative test result taken within the seven preceding days before entering the Grand Prix circuit, while the racers and their respective teams will have to be tested every 48 hours, The Macau Post Daily reported.
