Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has announced in an executive order the easing of COVID-19 control and prevention restrictions from Saturday.
Ho's executive order was published in the Official Gazette today.
According to the order, the adjusted measures will be in effect from 00:00 on Saturday until 11:59 on July 30.
Earlier this week, the government said that it planned to launch a "consolidation period" from Saturday which initially would last a fortnight.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U said during a daily press conference by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre this afternoon that the "consolidation period" would possibly be extended by another week.
The current "relatively static" restrictions on people's movements and operations of businesses have been in force since July 11, following the current COVID-19 outbreak, the first case of which was detected on June 18.
According to today's executive order, businesses can reopen on Saturday on the condition that they follow the government's COVID-19 prevention and control measures. However, shops in shopping malls without direct access to public roads continue to be banned from operating.
People in Macau should stay at home unless when going to work or shopping or for "urgent and necessary" reasons. All adults must wear KN95 facemasks or those of higher standards when out and about. Others can wear other kinds of facemasks.
Renovation works in buildings remain banned. However, hair salons can reopen with "limited services" on Saturday.
Unchanged from Ho's previous executive order which took effect on July 11, businesses providing "essential" public services will remain open, namely water and power utilities, natural gas and fuel suppliers, telecom companies, public transport and rubbish collection companies, hotels and inns, cleaning companies, property management companies, wholesale companies and logistics companies.
Moreover, wet markets, supermarkets, restaurants selling takeaways, pharmacies and healthcare facilities can also stay open. Dine-in services will remain banned.
Bank branches with direct access to public roads will also be allowed to reopen next week.
The executive order did not specifically mention whether Macau's about three dozen casinos, which have been closed since July 11, can reopen on Saturday.
However, Health Bureau (SSM) Director Alvis Lo Iek Long said at this afternoon's press conference that casinos can reopen limited services on Saturday but only under certain requirements taking into account the government's COVID-19 prevention and control measures. However, other entertainment businesses such as cinemas, nightclubs, massage parlours and discotheques will remain closed.
According to the press conference, dog owners can again take their pets for a walk near the home.
The press conference also announced the continuation of Macau's mandatory citywide nucleic acid tests (NATs) and rapid antigen tests (RATs - self-tests) next week.
