Govt’s epidemic prevention measures win praise
With the government having launched its 2nd citywide nucleic acid tests (NAT) last Saturday after detecting two new local cases connected to an imported case, some residents who went for the test at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion and the Luso-Chinese Technical and Vocational Middle School noted an improved experience since the first round of citywide tests were conducting in early August, while commending the government’s epidemic prevention measures.
Residents told The Macau Post Daily that they found the experience this time to be quicker, with some pointing out that the waiting time had been reduced from many hours to just a few minutes.
Ricardo, a 55-year-old Portuguese local resident, said that there was “no comparison” to be made between the first and second round of citywide test, with his waiting time reduced from three hours to a mere five minutes. He also noted that Macau is safer compared to other places, citing as the reasons that the government is doing a “fine job” and that the people of Macau generally have been cooperating with the government’s COVID-19 prevention measures, stating that “everywhere you go, people are wearing facemasks.”
Sharing the same sentiment, a 24-year-old man from the mainland visiting his parents who are working here said that the testing arrangements had “improved a lot because they are more organised than the last time”. When asked for his reaction to last week’s emergence of new cases, he answered that he was not worried comparing with when he returned from the US last year, where there had been 38 confirmed cases on the street where he lived, while there are currently only three new COVID-19 cases in Macau. He further added that Macau is relatively safe as people are prepared to cooperate with the government’s epidemic prevention measures, and approve of the way the government handles the situation.
Similarly, a 30-year-old local resident, who had only to wait a minute to have his test, said that he was not worried as the government is working “quickly and with plans”. He also added that the experience this time is better because people can only get tested according to their scheduled appointment.
He made the remarks before the government announced later yesterday that NAT walkins were now also possible.
Another Macau resident, a 58-year-old male, also agreed that the testing procedure was more organised than last time. However, he also noted that in his opinion, he found Macau’s reaction to the most recent outbreak “a bit exaggerated”, adding that “looking at our world, I mean we have to live with it, it’s not going to go away. So, we have to find ways of living with it.”
A 33-year-old female local resident admitted that she was nervous about the outbreak, but was quick to add that the situation has been handled well.
Meanwhile, a 30-year-old resident said it was good that the most recent cases were detected swiftly, but added that caution must still be exercised for the city’s quarantine hotels and tourism sector. He also recommended that the government watch over the elderly since it is common for some to take off their facemasks while gathering to chat.
Residents enter the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion and the Luso-Chinese Technical and Vocational Middle School testing stations for the second round of mandatory citywide NAT tests yesterday. Photos: Rui Pastorin
