Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Luís de Camões Garden was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 Delta variant family cluster, but after deep cleaning and disinfection, the Health Bureau gave the green light for it to reopen today from 2 p.m. to 8p.m., the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said in a statement yesterday.
According to the statement, the library had been temporarily closed since August 3. The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) had hired a professional cleaning company to disinfect the premises when it was closed. The statement also said that alll the library staff underwent nucleic acid tests (NATs).
The statement pointed out that the library will return to its regular opening hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., tomorrow.
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) pledged to closely monitor the development of the pandemic following the relevant SSM COVID-19 prevention and control guidelines. The bureau said that it has imposed crowd control measures, with the visitor capacity limited to 50 percent of the normal level. The statement also stressed that visitors need to display valid Macau Health Codes, have their temperatures checked and wear a facemask upon entry.
For the latest updates on the bureau’s public libraries, one can visit the website www.library.gov.mo or call 2893 0077 or 2856 7576 during opening hours.
IC cancels performances
Meanwhile, the bureau said in a separated statement that it is cancelling a number of arts and cultural performances and arranging for ticket refunds from now until September 30.
The statement said that the cancelled performances include the ARTmusing Film Carnival scheduled for August 26 to 29, the Youth Cantonese Opera Course Excerpts Presentation Performance “Summer” scheduled for August 28, ARTmusing Fun scheduled for August 29, as well as a number of performances by the Macao Orchestra and outreach activities, including Artist Salon scheduled for September 3, Violin Master Class with Ning Feng scheduled for September 4, 2021-22 Season Opening Concert – Ning Feng meets Brahms and Pre-concert Talk scheduled for September 5, “Along with the musical joy – Annual gala and gathering” scheduled for September 9, Dialogue in the Piano Trio and Music Hour with Musicians scheduled for September 18.
According to the statement, in order to allow the general public to continue to enjoy classical music despite the pandemic, the Macao Orchestra (OM) and the Macao Chinese Orchestra (MCO) intend to livestream several of their September performances of the new concert seasons online, with details to be announced shortly. The statement added that for the performance “Along with the musical joy – Annual gala and gathering” scheduled for September 9, the music points used for the exchange of tickets will be reimbursed to the OM Friends’ accounts.
For more information, one can visit www.icm.gov.mo.
This undated file photo shows the exterior of the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Luís de Camões Garden which reopens today. Photo: Public Library website
