Responding to media enquiries, the Correctional Services Bureau (DSC) introduced yesterday its “Preventative Closed-loop Management Measures” which were implemented at Coloane Prison last Sunday to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
A statement by the bureau noted that since June 19 it has suspended the prison’s external services, including visitations and meetings with social workers.
The first case of Macau’s current COVID-19 outbreak was detected on June 18.
The statement pointed out that everyone in the prison and juvenile detention centre must undergo a rapid antigen test (RAT) every day. It added that everyone in the jail and the detention centre, i.e., inmates and staff, have received personal protective equipment (PPE) and novel coronavirus prevention materials, including N95 facemasks, goggles, protective clothes, hand sanitiser and infrared thermometers. In order to ensure the safety and health of everyone, all the related facilities such as warehouses, campus and prison vans are cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day, the statement underlined.
However, the statement pointed out that due to the outbreak’s deteriorating situation at that time, on July 3 the bureau adopted even “more stringent” prevention measures against the spread of COVID-19 in the correctional facilities.
The statement added that a total of 310 people, including prison guards, medical staff and chefs are in closed-loop management, which was launched on July 3.
The statement underlined that after the closed-loop management was implemented, except for the first batch of prison guards, other prison officers who participate in rotation shifts must undergo quarantine for seven days, and work for seven days before returning to the community. The statement added that officers on rotation stay in the dormitories provided by the Macau Public Security Forces Academy (ESFSM) in Coloane, which is used as a training area for new recruits.
According to the statement, the dormitories are equipped with basic living facilities, including adequate drying space for clothes, supplies, and beds that meet hygienic standards, adding that a dry-cleaning service for uniforms is also being provided. The statement underlined that the bureau is “highly concerned” about the daily meals of closed-loop staff, adding that each meal is delivered directly from the staff canteen, while microwave ovens are available for staff to use. The bureau said it will continue to pay close attention to the daily needs and physical and mental health of the closed-loop staff by providing support and psychological counselling services.
Moreover, the statement underlined that in order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the facilities, all non-essential activities, such as visitations and the transfer of goods, have been suspended. However, the statement added, the prison’s social workers and psychological counselling staff continue to provide “extensive” support to prisoners and their families, including arranging for the prisoners to make phone calls to their families and following up on online visitation applications, so as to safeguard their physical and mental health.
Information broadcasts are also being provided to keep prisoners informed of the actual situation of the current COVID-19 outbreak, while counselling and support is also being provided by social workers through video link in special cases, according to the statement.
