As four more COVID-19 cases have been detected this week, the government ordered entertainment facilities as well as some public services to be suspended, and public servants were asked yesterday to stay at home through Thursday in the wake of the city’s new novel coronavirus cases.
Entertainment facilities are closed
The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre said in a statement yesterday that entertainment premises – cinemas, theatres, indoor playgrounds, amusement arcades, cybercafés, snooker halls, bowling alleys, public saunas, massage parlours, beauty salons, gyms, health clubs, karaoke bars, bars/pubs, night clubs, discos, ballrooms, and halls for singing and dancing – are closed until further notice.
A man buys tickets to the last picture show at Teatro Alegria last night before cinemas are temporarily closed from today. Photo: Maria Cheang Ut Meng
Public servants to resume work on Friday
Meanwhile, according to a statement by the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau (SAFP) yesterday morning, in response to the further development of the new coronavirus and by Chief Executive Order 110/CE/202, civil servants are not required to go to work for three days starting yesterday, to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The SAFP statement said that civil service chiefs are required to ensure the normal functioning of their respective bureaus and other government entities before work resumes on Friday.
The bureau urged civil servants to stay at home as much as possible and to go out only in “urgent and necessary situations”.
According to the SAFP website, the government employs more than 32,000 people, accounting for around 7 percent of the local workforce.
IPIM maintains basic operations & services
The Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) announced in a statement yesterday that it will run only its basic services during the three-day period.
IPIM’s Portuguese-speaking Countries Food Exhibition Centre in Praça do Tap Seac will be closed until further notice, the statement added.
The statement also urged residents that before going to IPIM, they should make appointments online.
The statement noted that enquiries can be made by phoning the institute on 2871 0300 or sending an email to ipim@ipim.gov.mo. The statement pointed out that the latest information can be found on https://www.ipim.gov.mo/.
MGTO provides limited services until Friday
Moreover, the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) announced in a statement yesterday that it will conduct limited services today and tomorrow.
The statement noted that document submissions can be made via the document collection box on the 12th floor of the Hotline Centre in Nape.
For the submission of activity subsidy applications and reports, groups can send their documents to mgto@Macautourism.gov.mo, adding that the send-out date of the email will be considered as the submission date of the documents.
The statement underlined that if organisations have amendments made due to the COVID-19 pandemic development in Macau, including the relocation of event venues and activity postponements or cancellations, they can send the changes to mgto@Macautourism.gov.mo.
Except for the Tourist Information counter at the Ritz Building on Largo do Senado, the statement added that MGTO’s other counters will continue operating. The statement also said that its online service platforms will operate as usual providing services, such as licence renewal for hotels/guest houses, restaurants, night clubs, bars, travel agencies various applications for tour guide cards, online submission of quarterly reports, price lists and room rate declarations.
Additionally, the statement noted the continuation of MGTO’s 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000.
IAS limited-service arrangements
Meanwhile, the Social Welfare Bureau said in a statement yesterday that during the three-day period, the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) will suspend some of its services at its main office, social service centres, and other subordinate units.
However, the statement said, the following urgent services will remain open, which are the Detoxification and Maintenance Treatment Services – Drug Treatment Centre (Methadone) in Areia Preta and Drug Treatment Centre (Methadone) in Carmo (Taipa) – and the nucleic acid test (NAT) station at the Healthy Life Education Centre.
Moreover, another IAS statement yesterday said that due to the latest COVID-19 pandemic development, the bureau has suspended visits to all subsidised and non-subsidised retirement homes until further notice.
The statement underlined that family members with special needs can contact the retirement homes to arrange a video call if circumstances and conditions allowed.
The bureau urged all retirement homes to abide by the Health Bureau guidelines, adding that their staff members must strictly comply with the mandatory facemasks rule.
According to a separate IAS statement yesterday, as one of the staff members from the “Asilo Vila Madalena” is considered as a close contact of the 74th COVID-19 patient and is currently undergoing quarantine, the premises will be under close-loop management. The statement added that besides some staff members, other people are only allowed to enter the retirement home but not to leave the premises.
The statement noted that medical workers were yesterday at the retirement home for nucleic acid testing for staff and residents there, adding that a few more rounds of the tests will be conducted to ensure their health and safety. The statement underlined that all 20 environmental samples taken yesterday at the home for the elderly were negative.
According to the statement, there are sufficient food and other supplies at the retirement home. The statement stressed that the bureau and the Health Bureau will continue to provide support to the retirement home.
The Social Welfare Bureau said that those who have visited the retirement home after September 28 should monitor their health condition, adding that they should avoid leaving their homes and refrain from unnecessary contacts. The statement said that if those people feel unwell, they should immediately seek medical help.
For any enquiries, residents can contact the bureau on 6688 9184.
IAM provides limited services
The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that before its full-service resumption on Friday, its public services will be suspended, while the self-services zones, municipal markets and cemeteries, IAM Connect and its telephone line will remain open.
The statement said that the bureau has arranged to disinfect and deep-clean public areas.
The statement added that in order to ensure that the city’s food supply is sufficient, the bureau will maintain its inspection services during the three-day period.
Regarding residents who have booked appointments between October 5-7 at the Government Integrated Service Building in Areia Preta and in Taipa, as well as other IAM service centres, the statement said that the bureau would notify residents about rescheduling. The municipal kennels will also be closed and all booking and basic services will also be closed besides its emergency services.
Moreover, the bureau added that barbecue sites, outdoor sports facilities, and bike rentals will be suspended to avoid crowds gathering. The statement said leisure areas and park’s chess tables, children’s playground and some other the other facilities are also closed.
DSI suspends its services
The Identification Services Bureau (DSI) said in a statement yesterday that during the three-day period its services will be suspended. The statement added that those who have appointments to collect their documents could pick them up before Friday next week.
The statement pointed out that its 24-hour self-service booths will remain operational but will not provide express services, and the pick-up dates will be postponed accordingly.
IC suspends its services
Meanwhile, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said in a statement yesterday that all its venues will be closed, as well as all its services, until further notices.
According to the statement, when public libraries are closed, the return date for their books will be extended correspondingly. Moreover, subsidy applications can still be made by the public but the application system will end on October 7 at 6 p.m. as planned.
