Various local government entities, including the Sports Bureau (ID), Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), Transport Bureau (DSAT), Macau Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT), Fire Services Bureau FSM) and Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau (DSFSM) announced in separate statements yesterday that they are suspending some of their events and closing some of their facilities, such as museums, due to the 31 COVID-19 cases discovered over the weekend.
Sports Bureau facilities & activities
The Sports Bureau said that all its facilities have been closed to the public, adding that all sports activities, including the parent-child Sports Day, the trial match of the closed-circuit management practice test, and the Public Sports and Fitness Interest Class, as well as the youth school sports courses, and other activities, competitions and training courses organised by sports associations, have been suspended. The bureau urged residents to pay close attention to the COVID-19 pandemic development and thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation.
Social Welfare Bureau facilities & activities
The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) said that apart from its accommodation facilities and emergency support services, the operations for its subsidised childcare centres, such as daycare centres and community centres, have been suspended since yesterday. However, the bureau added that nursing homes and urgent care services are operating as usual. Furthermore, the bureau stressed that any visits to nursing homes and rehabilitation areas will not allowed for the time being. The bureau urged non-subsidised facilities to follow the government’s COVID-19 prevention measures.
Meanwhile, the bureau said in another statement last night that its basic public services, including those provided by its social welfare centres, will be suspended today and tomorrow, adding that only centres providing methadone treatments remain open.
MGTO facilities & activities
The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) announced the cancellation of its “Stay, Dine and See Macao” local tours. For any enquiries, residents can call 8396 3052 or 2838 9153 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. MGTO pointed out that the Macau Grand Prix Museum and Lei Si Building have been closed. MGTO added that for those who have already bought their admission tickets, a refund process will be announced in the near future. For any enquiries, visitors can call 8593 0515 or 8593 0516. MGTO stressed that it will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and make arrangements according to Health Bureau (SSM) guidelines.
Meanwhile, the “Quality Tourism Services Accreditation Scheme” Assessment Seminar for the Food and Beverage Sector, originally scheduled for today, and the 10th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) press conference slated for tomorrow have also been cancelled.
Cultural Affairs Bureau venues & activities
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) announced that since yesterday all its events at various venues, including the Macau Museum, Macau Cultural Centre, public libraries and cultural heritage sites have been suspended, adding that the reopening dates will be announced in due course. The bureau also said that the returning period for library books will be extended, so users do not need to return them immediately.
Municipal Affairs Bureau facilities closed
The Macau Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said that its public parks and venues, such as activity centres and exhibition halls, as well as other facilities, including free sports grounds, have been closed since yesterday until further notice. The bureau added that all activities and interest classes have also been suspended.
Transport Bureau (DSAT) public services centres
The Transport Bureau (DSAT) said that the operations of the Motor Vehicles Inspection Centre in Cotai and Motorcycle Inspection Centre in the peninsula, as well as the permanent centre for driving lessons and exams, the vehicle storage area in Estrada Flor de Lótus and vehicle storage area in Taipa will all be closed from today, adding that driving lessons and examinations, vehicle inspections and the taxi driving course and examinations will be postponed. New arrangements will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Transport Bureau (DSAT) also reminded residents going out with a Yellow or Red Health Code that they are not permitted to take public transport, such as buses, taxis or the Light Rapid Transit (LRT), adding that drivers and LRT staff are authorised to check passengers’ Macau Health Code and to refuse Yellow Code and Red Code holders to use public transport.
The statement said that the city’s two bus companies have been carrying out random inspections of passengers’ Health Codes, and also strengthened disinfection and hygiene on their buses, so as to provide passengers with a safe service.
DSAMA suspends 2 ferry routes
The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) said that two ferry routes – Macau-Shenzhen and Wanzai-Inner Harbour – were suspended yesterday until further notice.
MUR closes temporary housing show flats
Macau government-owned Macau Urban Renewal Limited (MUR) announced the temporary closure of Areia Preta’s Lot P temporary housing on the 3rd floor of Mong Ha Social Housing – Mong Tak Building on Rua de Francisco Xavier Pereira.
The exhibition’s online booking system, the statement noted, has also been suspended until further notice, with MUR having notified pre-booked visitors via SMS. The statement added that enquiries can be made by calling MUR on 2888 2263 during office hours.
CCAC suspends external services
The Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) said that its external services, including the Complaint Management Centre, the Declaration of Assets and Interests Division and its two branch offices will not be open to the public today and tomorrow.
The city’s graft buster added that the deadline for the “declaration of assets and interests by public servants” will be extended to the first working day upon resumption of services. Meanwhile, the statement noted that the “Positive Energy of Integrity” WeChat quiz game winners will be announced on WeChat on the following working day upon resumption of services.
For reports or administrative complaints, the CCAC’s online complaint service or the Report Hotline at 28361212 can be used.
New stamp issuance postponed
The Macau Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT) said that the issuance of the new stamp “Feast of Saint John”, originally scheduled to be issued this Friday, has been postponed with details to be announced in due course.
IPIM closes food exhibition centre
Meanwhile, the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) said that its Portuguese-speaking Countries Food Exhibition Centre in Praça do Tap Seac will be temporarily closed until further notice.
Suspension of ‘all educational activities’: DSEDJ
All educational activities in both higher education institutions and non-tertiary education establishments have been suspended until further notice, the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) said.
The bureau underlined that a range of activities such as tests, examinations and graduation ceremonies have been postponed, while competitions and exchange activities have been cancelled or postponed. Schools are also temporarily closed.
The bureau advised students to reduce going out and that cross-border students should avoid returning to Macau, adding that tutorial centres and continuing education institutions have been urged to close temporarily.
The Schoolchildren Vaccination Day, originally scheduled for yesterday at Macau Forum, was also suspended. The statement pointed out that all DSEDJ centres, its “Youth Educational Base with the Theme of Loving the Motherland and Macao”, Pavilion of Patriotism, youth hostels, Youth Art Exhibition Pavilion, gymnasium of Escola Luso-Chinesa Técnico-Profissional, and all study rooms are temporarily closed.
Enquiries can be made by calling 28555533 during office hours or visiting www.dsedj.gov.mo.
