The Public Administration Building in Rua do Campo reopened yesterday.
The building, which houses a host of public entities, was closed on Thursday for two working days after officials confirmed that two COVID-19 Delta variant carriers had visited it on July 29.
The two carriers are the mother and father of a four-member Delta variant family cluster which also includes the couple’s two children. The family, which is reportedly in stable condition, is undergoing treatment at an isolation facility.
A statement by the government on Sunday said that after deep cleaning and disinfection, the building reopened yesterday and all its services have been resumed. The statement said that during the building’s closure on Thursday and Friday some of the services had been temporarily relocated to the government’s service centres in Areia Preta and Taipa. The statement noted that over the two days, the two centres provided services to over 600 residents.
The Public Administration Building is the government’s most busy public service centre.
According to the statement, after the disinfection and consulting the Health Bureau (SSM), the building reopened yesterday morning, noting that its services such as the Second Public Notary Office, Real Estate Registry, and Commerce and Movable Property Registry are again operating normally. However, the statement added, when entering the building, residents must abide by the Health Bureau (SSM) guidelines to have their temperature checked, wear a facemask, and display their Macau Health Code. The statement also said that their service counters’ plexiglass dividers are disinfected every hour.
Most cultural facilities to reopen tomorrow
Meanwhile, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said in a statement yesterday that its cultural facilities will reopen in an orderly manner, adding that the facilities will not be holding activities that may lead to crowd gathering.
The statement said that the bureau will implement crowd control measures according to the spatial characteristics of the different venues, temporarily not providing guided tours, and suspending offerings such as interactive experience devices. Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Luís de Camões Garden will remain closed, while the Guia Fortress, the Guia Chapel and Lighthouse, which are currently undergoing maintenance work, will also remain closed.
According to the statement, in order to protect the public’s health, the bureau arranged the cleaning and disinfection of all venues before reopening, adding that crowd control measures will be implemented at all venues, with visitor capacity limited to 50 percent of the pre-pandemic level. The statement said that the public is advised to cooperate with the crowd control measures and all must wear their facemasks, have their temperatures checked, and display a valid Macau Health Code. The bureau urged the public to visit the cultural facilities at different times, pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene and maintain social distancing after entering the venues, and cooperate with the government’s pandemic prevention measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The statement also said that arts and cultural groups which have a need for closed-door rehearsals or filmed programmes can apply for artistic and cultural space reservations. The statement pointed out that for application procedures and details, residents can visit the “Booking System for the use of Artistic and Cultural Spaces” at the IC’s website acs.icm.gov.mo.
The statement noted that the bureau continues to enrich the cultural life of the general public by offering introductions to its exhibitions, e-reading resources and cultural heritage knowledge online through new media platforms.
The bureau pledged to closely monitor the development of the pandemic, follow SSM’s guidelines and implement appropriate measures in a timely manner.
For more information, residents can visit www.icm.gov.mo.
Sports facilities to reopen tomorrow
The Sports Bureau (ID) said in a statement yesterday that it is reopening its public sports facilities for residents to exercise.
The statement pointed out that the facilities will continue to undergo regular disinfection and comply with the SSM COVID-19 prevention and control measures. The statement underlined that residents have to get their temperature checked, wear a facemask and display a valid Macau Health Code, adding that the facilities will also implement crowd control. However, all programmes and classes are still cancelled until further notice.
For enquiries, residents can visit http://www.sport.gov.mo or call 2823 6363.
DSEDJ facilities to reopen tomorrow
The Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) said in a statement yesterday that its various facilities such as the Loving the Country, Loving Macau Education Base for Young People, Patriotic Sentiment Pavilion, youth hostels, Youth Art Exhibition and Performance Hall, and study rooms will reopen tomorrow. The statement noted that the Parenting Education Centre in Lago and the gymnasium and public areas of the Luso-Chinese Vocational School will remain closed until further notice.
According to the statement, the bureau will closely follow the Health Bureau’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures. The statement said that the bureau will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and make arrangements accordingly.
For more information, residents can call 2855 5533 or visit www.dsedj.gov.mo.
Cleaners work at service counters in the Public Administration Building in Rua do Campo yesterday morning. Photo courtesy of TDM
