Macau enters “state of immediate prevention” after new Covid-19 cases

The new rules mean that anyone wishing to leave the region must produce a negative Covid-19 test taken in the 24 hours before they depart.

No restrictions for casinos have been announced, however, and no new entry requirements or quarantine rules have been introduced.

The country’s Health Bureau said that two residents who had recently travelled to the city of Zhuhai in Guangdong Province of mainland China had tested positive for the virus. Two more residents – who were classed as “close contacts” of the first two, also tested positive.

Further restrictions apply to the building in which these residents lived and the fruit stalls where one of the residents worked.

The region had implemented a number of other rules recently in response to growing concern about the Delta variant of the virus.

From July 31, all intending to travel by aircraft to the Macau Special Administrative Region must present proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 48 hours of boarding the aircraft.

Previously implemented rules, such as a complete ban on those who have been outside of mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan in the previous three weeks and a requirement to present a negative Covid-19 test within seven days of departure if a person arriving in Macau has visited mainland China remain in place. Those travelling from certain cities in mainland China such as Zhongshan also face additional testing requirements.

Yesterday, Macau regulator the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau of Macau (DICJ) reported that Macau’s gambling revenue rose month-on-month in July and grew significantly year-on-year, largely due to a reduction in novel coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions.