Anyone who wants to enter a local casino must have a 48-hour validated negative result for a nucleic acid test (NAT) from 7 a.m. on Friday, while the casino staff, in addition to this, must also undergo a rapid antigen test (RAT – self-test) every day they work, according to a statement by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) yesterday.
According to the DICJ statement, this is in line with the regulation of the Health Bureau’s (SSM) measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 virus transmission in casinos and other public places during the outbreak.
The casinos must pay the cost of the NATs and the RAT kits for their employees, the statement said.
According to a local media report, the government initially stipulated that this measure would take effect from today, but later announced that it would only come into force from 7 a.m. on Friday.
This led to quite a number of casino staff queueing for an NAT yesterday, which potentially increased the likelihood of the spread of the virus, the report noted.
The gaming regulator said in the statement that it would continue to strengthen its inspections of the casino operators’ pandemic prevention measures, and also would urge the operators to ensure the implementation of all necessary pandemic prevention measures to protect the health of their customers and employees.
Stricter COVID-19 measures for construction sector
In addition, from today, the government will also adopt stricter pandemic prevention and control measures for all construction sites and suspend their operations if any worker on a site is found to have been infected with the novel coronavirus, according to a statement by the Public Works Bureau (DSOP) and the Land and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU).
The DSOP and DSSCU also said that all the construction workers must have a 48-hour validated NAT negative result, as well as undergo an RAT everyday they work. After testing negative, their RAT result must be uploaded to the government’s electric platform, only after which the workers can enter the construction sites, the statement said.
According to the two bureaus’ statements, those whose RAT comes up with a positive result must report their case to the Fire Services Bureau (CB), and those living with them will not be allowed to leave their homes.
Moreover, the statement said that the construction companies and their workers must strictly follow hygiene and pandemic prevention guidelines, such as wearing their facemasks, maintaining social distancing, not gathering for meals, as well as taking personal hygiene protection measures before, during and after work.
The two bureaux said that they will continue to keep an eye on the situation at the construction sites.
