Many of the centre’s functions, including public enquiry services, will now be handled by the Health Bureau.
Macao Covid-19
The move comes as health authorities hope to contain a wave of Covid-19 infections that has seen at least 104 people hospitalised this month.
The revised protocols come as around 1,000 residents a day turn up at Conde de São Januário Hospital seeking treatment for flu-like illnesses.
Official figures show a major spike in such cases during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2022.
The news comes as the city braces for a new coronavirus surge, with as many as 6,000 people a day expected to become infected later this month according to researchers.
Some 27 people have been admitted to hospital with Covid complications so far this month, compared to just 5 for the whole of April.
According to researchers, up to five percent of the population could become infected in the coming weeks as herd immunity fades.
Currently guidelines are vague, confusing, and potentially harmful says José Pereira Coutinho in a written submission to the government.
Figure strikes even sharper contrast with 2019, when city hosted more than 39 million visitors before onset of Covid-19 pandemic.
