The opening of businesses in Macau will be subject to the guidelines for epidemic prevention set by the Macau Health Bureau. However, nurseries, shops in shopping malls, and ongoing interior renovation works on buildings will not be included in the reopening phase.
The chief executive of Macau has implemented a stay-at-home order, urging the public to remain indoors unless necessary, such as traveling to work, going shopping, or fulfilling other essential tasks. When leaving their residences, individuals are expected to wear N95 masks at all times.
Certain establishments like cinemas, indoor playgrounds, game consoles and electronic game rooms, internet cafes, billiard rooms, bowling alleys, steam baths, massage parlors, beauty parlors, fitness parlors, health clubs, karaoke venues, bars, nightclubs, discos, dance halls, and swimming pools will remain closed until further notice.
Restaurants will only offer takeaway services and will not resume indoor dining. The impact of these ongoing restrictions on the concessionaires’ business activity following reopening remains uncertain.
Initially, due to the outbreak, Macau had closed down all non-essential industrial and commercial activities from 11-22 July. The closure was later extended, causing many people to be confined to various locations in the city, including the Hotel Lisboa casino.
While the outbreak in Macau is relatively small compared to Western standards and has not resulted in any deaths so far, China’s “zero-Covid” strategy means that even a few cases in a region can trigger strict government measures.
Official figures indicate that over 90% of residents in the Special Administrative Region are fully vaccinated, having received at least two doses of the vaccine. In the past week, the number of new daily Covid cases has steadily decreased, from a peak of 109 confirmed cases on 10 July to just six incidents on 18 July.
