Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng will deliver his 2020 policy address in the legislature’s hemicycle next Monday, public broadcaster TDM-Radio Macau reported today.
The report cited unidentified sources as saying that the policy address would focus on the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s recovery plans for the local economy which has been hit hard by the crisis, the tourism, gaming and retail sectors in particular.
The report said that Ho would possibly also announce measures by the central government to assist in Macau’s economic recovery once the COVID-19 crisis is over, such as by facilitating mainlanders’ travel to Macau.
Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, mainlanders have virtually been barred from visiting Macau.
Meanwhile, the legislature is expected to pass the government’s 2020 budget amendment bill this week, according to the report.
Ho has headed the local government since December 20 last year. Just a month after taking office, Macau began to be hit by the novel coronavirus crisis. Macau’s first COVID-19 case was confirmed on January 22.
Macau has 45 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with no deaths. Thirteen of the patients have been discharged from hospital. According to the Macau Health Bureau (SSM), only one of the patients is in serious conditions. Almost all cases have been classified by the bureau as imported, mostly involving local students returning from their university studies overseas.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macau News)
