Macau gaming operator Melco announced today a HK$20 million "donation to support and accelerate measures to contain the spread of the new strain of coronavirus."
The company headed by Lawrence Ho Yau-lung said in a statement that "in light of the serious public health concerns associated with the new strain of coronavirus, Melco announced today [that] it is working the [central] government to donate HK$20 million to support initiatives from Wuhan and Hubei."
Wuhan is the capital city of Hubei province.
"The donation will be used to purchase medical supplies including facemasks and hand sanitizers, as well as to support the local community as needed," the statement said.
The statement quoted Ho as saying: "We hope this donation helps accelerate the preventive measures to contain the spread of the virus." Melco is the first local gaming operator to announce a Wuhan virus-related donation.
Ho also said that his company "has stringent operational protocols in place to safeguard the wellbeing of all visitors and colleagues across its properties," adding that "Melco is deferring all non-essential business travel until further notice and will postpone a number of events until it is clear that public health concerns are restored to normal."
Ho also said that his company "is following government guidelines on specific preventive measures to be adopted."
Melco owns four of the 41 casinos owned by Macau's six rival gaming operators.
