Status of current cases:
- 7 confirmed coronavirus cases so far with mild symptoms
- 127 people under suspicion that had been infected by the virus awaiting results
- 19 people under medical observation for contact with coronavirus infected patients
- 4 Hubei residents under quarantine
- WHO declared novel coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency
Government efforts:
- 20 million masks ordered; second distribution to start Sunday, with 10 masks for each resident.
- Hotel Pousada Marina Infante rented to house all patients under observation
- Non-essential civil servants ordered to remain at home until 7th February
- Appealed for residents not to leave Macau
- Wealth Partaking Scheme’s distribution date brought forward
- Called for private sector property owners to review rents in order to help SMEs
- Government-run daycare centres, schools and universities closed until further notice. Students should remain at home
- Asked the 19,000 students from Zhuhai, China that come daily to Macau, to remain at home
- Asked local companies to follow measures implemented by the government
- Health Bureau asks all residents and visitors to use masks in public transport services and in the streets; to stay home and avoid crowded places.
- Health Bureau doesn’t rule out a Wuhan virus local community outbreak
- Cinemas and entertainment shows closed until further notice
- Leal Senado building closed for tourists
- Macau off-limits to Wuhan and Hubei residents unless they have an official medical declaration stating they are coronavirus-free
- China has stopped issuing individual travel visas to mainland travellers that want to visit Macau
- All visitors to the city must fill in health forms
- No Hubei residents are allowed entry to Macau’s 41 casinos
- Visits to patients in the hospital, as well as visits to the prison, are cancelled
Other efforts:
- Jetfoils to Kowloon and Tuen Mun cancelled from Thursday onwards, with number of daily trips to be reduced
- Dozens of flights to Mainland China and Taiwan axed in the last few days
- Casinos implement measures to facilitate the movement of non-resident workers that live in China
- Casinos and hotel workers ordered to use facemasks
- Associations of casino workers are asking the government to demand the closure of all casinos
Impact:
- Visitor arrivals have fallen by 80% compared with same period last year
