The Sheraton Grand in Cotai will be turned into a quarantine hotel from Thursday to cope with the rising number of local residents returning to Macao.
Currently, the city has four quarantine hotels for travellers to undergo Covid-19 medical observation upon arrival.
Two of the four hotels, Pousada Marina Infante in Cotai and Grand Coloane Resort, are used as a general designated quarantine hotel and a general self-selected quarantine hotel earmarked for those arriving from Hong Kong, and areas in the mainland that are affected by local Covid-19 cases.
The other two hotels, Treasure Hotel and Regency Art Hotel in Taipa, are used as a special designated quarantine hotel and a special self-selected quarantine hotel earmarked for those arriving from the Taiwan region and foreign countries.
Macao residents and non-resident workers can choose to book either a designated hotel or a self-selected hotel, while other travellers must book a self-selected hotel.
A stay at a designated hotel is reportedly less expensive than a stay at a self-selected hotel.
Macao residents meeting certain criteria can apply for an exemption from paying for their first-time stay for Covid-19 medical observation at a designated hotel.
The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre said that the newly added Sheraton Grand hotel will be earmarked for those arriving from Hong Kong. Travellers can start making reservations at the Sheraton Grand hotel by email from 12 pm today.
