Covid-19: Macau closes almost everything except its casinos

Customers wearing protective face masks against Covid-19 at a casino in Macau.

AFP/Archivos

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

So far largely spared from the Covid-19 epidemic, Macao has recorded 110 cases of contamination, a very low figure compared to other countries across the planet.

However, this latest epidemic wave has prompted the authorities to launch a vast screening campaign and restrictive measures.

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The authorities of this former Portuguese colony have decided, from this Thursday, to close almost all places open to the public with the exception of casinos.

The special administrative region, which is already carrying out massive screenings in the name of

has also announced the closure of bars, cinemas, nightclubs, hairdressing salons or sports halls, as well as all banks and administrations in the city.

Restaurants will only be able to sell take-out.

Macau is the largest gambling hub in the world, it is also the only place in

where gambling is allowed.

Casinos account for more than half of the city's GDP and employ almost a fifth of the working population.

The sector has already suffered significant losses in recent years due to the pandemic.

Strict border controls, quarantines of several weeks, vital tourist receipts for the city have collapsed, hence this decision by local authorities to spare the sector.

Only casinos registering cases will be forced to close.

But as analysts note, most Macau residents are being asked to stay home for at least a week, which means casino revenue will inevitably be hit.

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