Macao reopens after nine days of no COVID-19 cases

Macao reopened magnificence salons, health centres, bars, and another leisure services together with public providers beginning 2 August, after 9 straight days of zero COVID-19 circumstances.

On 1 August, the Macao authorities mentioned in a press release, “There have been no neighborhood an infection circumstances in Macao for 9 consecutive days… and the chance of the spread of the coronavirus has been greatly reduced.”

Folks within the Particular Administrative Area may also be allowed to dine-in at eating places.

Macao reopening however with warning

Casinos suffered heavy losses

Macao (or Macau), the world’s biggest gambling hub earlier than the pandemic, suffered heavy losses because of the stringent shutdown of the town following a sudden rise within the variety of COVID-19 circumstances in mid-June 2022.

Casinos started reopening on 23 July, after remaining shut for 12 days as a part of a strict Macao authorities coverage, which is in step with China’s zero-COVID mandate.

In line with Reuters, the federal government mentioned that July month-to-month on line casino revenues had been the bottom on document. Revenues dropped 95 p.c 12 months on 12 months to 0.4 billion patacas (USD 49.5 million).

The report additionally says that the licenses of Melco Resorts, MGM China, Galaxy Leisure, Sands China, SJM Holdings and Wynn Macau — the six present on line casino license holders in Macao — will expire by the top of 2022.

A 12 months earlier than the outbreak of COVID-19 world wide in 2020, the casinos earned USD 36 billion in income.

Restrictions not utterly eliminated

Since mid-June, Macao has reported round 1,800 infections. However regardless of the reopening, a number of restrictions will stay in place.

Over 90 p.c of the residents are totally vaccinated however are required to put on masks each time they exit. They may also have to supply a damaging coronavirus check report taken inside three days to have the ability to enter a lot of the open venues.

Furthermore, Macao is open solely to residents from Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan and mainland China. Apart from these coming from low-risk areas in mainland China, guests are required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival.

Consequently, analysts imagine, there may be no enterprise for a couple of extra weeks.