Ho formalised the measures' extension in an executive order issued earlier today.
Today's order follows up on an order which imposed the measures on people's movement and businesses in Macau from 0:00 on Monday (July 11). Ho's original order promulgated on July 9 was slated to expire at 11:59 tomorrow.
The order issued by Ho today formalises the continuation of the measures announced on July 9.
Both orders were published in the Official Gazette (BO), on July 9 and today respectively.
According to the two orders, essential businesses are allowed to continue operating such as water and power utilities, fuel suppliers, telecom services, public transport (buses and taxis), waster collection, hotels and inns, cleaning services, property management, wholesale companies, and logistics operators transporting daily necessities and other goods. Wet markets, convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants and other businesses selling takeaways (food and beverages), pharmacies and healthcare services will also stay open.
However, all entertainment and recreation businesses and facilities will remain closed, such as casinos (which have been closed since July 11) and those that have been closed since June 23, such as cinemas, theatres, massage parlours, beauty salons, snooker halls, karaoke bars, bars, nightclubs, discotheques, ballrooms, hair salons and barber shops, public swimming pools, bowling alleys, and amusement arcades.
Media companies such as newspaper offices will stay open.
Macau's banks have been closed since July 11. There was no immediate announcement on whether the remain closed through next Friday.
A statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) "thanked member of the public for their support regarding the anti-epidemic work being done."
However, it reminded the public that the executive order "instructs" all people in Macau to continue to stay at home, "unless their outings are necessary," such as to go out for work, shopping or other urgent measures.
Adults in Macau - not just residents but everyone in Macau - are required to always wear a KN95 facemask, or a mask of higher standards, when out and about. Children may wear other kinds of facemasks.
People in Macau are also allowed to go to testing stations for their regular nucleic acid tests (NATs). Dog owners are not permitted to take their pets for a walkie.
The GCS statement said the aim of the continuation of the tightened COVID-19 prevention and control measures is to reach the government's goal of "dynamic zero-COVID-19 epidemic control "and to enable resumption at the earliest opportunity of normal community life".
The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced today the detection of 31 more cases yesterday, which raised the total of the current outbreak to 1,706. The current outbreak's first case was detected on June 18.
Since January 22, 2020, when Macau's first novel coronavirus case was detected, the city with a population of 680,000 has recorded 711 confirmed and 1,287 asymptomatic cases. The COVID-19 death toll stands at five.
Meanwhile, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre announced at a press conference this afternoon that all people must continue to undergo three mandatory nucleic acid tests (NATs) next week once every other day, at government-appointed testing stations. The tests are free of charge. They also must continue to self-test for COVID-19 at home once a day. The government will continue to distribute rapid antigen test (RAT) kits among the population.
Infographic provided by Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) this afternoon
