Macao is set to see a slow re-opening from 23 July to 30 July as some non-essential businesses will be allowed to start operating on a limited basis according to Executive Order 123/2022 issued by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng and published in the Official Gazette today.
According to the order, everyone must continue to remain at home except for work or to buy daily necessities and other urgent or necessary reasons. All adults must wear KN95 or similar-quality masks when outdoors, while children can wear other types of facemasks if the required masks are not suitable for them.
In addition to the essential businesses that were allowed to remain open during the partial lockdown that has been in place since 11 July, starting 00:00 on 23 July some other businesses will be allowed to open subject to health authorities’ pandemic prevention guidelines.
However, nurseries, shops located inside shopping malls or that do not have direct access to public roads and all renovation work in buildings must remain closed.
Among the places that will be allowed to resume operation are barbershops and other companies or places engaged in industrial and commercial activities. Apart from the pandemic prevention requirements, all of these places must limit the number of people at one time, maintain distance between personnel and require anyone entering to scan the site code.
The executive order does not say whether casinos will be allowed to resume operations.
The order of the Chief Executive also does not make any indications of whether public services or banks and insurances will open next week.
Cinemas, indoor playgrounds, game consoles and electronic game rooms, internet cafes, billiard parlours, bowling alleys, saunas and massage parlours, beauty parlours, gyms and health clubs, karaoke, bars, nightclubs, dance halls and public swimming pools will remain shuttered.
Other places that have been allowed to remain open during Macao’s partial lockdown are:
1. Companies that provide basic public services such as water, electricity, natural gas, fuel, telecommunications, public transportation, and garbage collection, as well as hotel accommodation, cleaning company, property management, wholesale and transportation of daily necessities, and other services necessary to maintain the necessary operations of society or entity;
2. Markets, supermarkets, restaurants, food and beverage establishments, pharmacies, health care establishments and other places necessary to maintain the lives of residents;
3. A company, entity or site approved by authorities to remain operating.
Restaurant and other food and beverage establishments will continue to provide only takeaways as dine-in will still be barred from 23 July until 00:00 on 30 July.
