Key businesses including gambling premises shuttered for the first time since early 2020 as the gaming hub battles an outbreak of the Omicron variant.
The Macau government has decided to suspend most business activities for a week starting Monday (11 July) as a result of the increasing pace of new Covid-19 infections, according to Hong Kong daily newspaper «South China Morning Post» (paywall). The step includes the shuttering of the large casino sector, the world's largest.
According to the SCMP, the last time Macau closed its casinos was in early 2020. The newspaper reported that city chief executive Ho Iat-seng issued a directive yesterday ordering the suspension of all non-essential business activity, which comprises everything except supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, and essential public services.
Residents are required to stay at home and all adults need to wear face masks that meet the minimum standard of a KN95 if outside. Offenders could potentially face two years in prison or severe fines.
