Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U has visited the influential Macau Chamber of Commerce (ACM) where she listened to views and suggestions from its senior members about her portfolio of the government’s 2023 Policy Address, which is slated to be delivered by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng next month.
The association made the announcement in a statement yesterday, which said that a delegation of senior officials under Ao Ieong’s portfolio had a meeting with ACM board members at the chamber’s headquarters in Zape recently.
The statement did not say when exactly the meeting was held.
During the meeting, according to the statement, ACM President Frederico Ma Chi Ngai said that the “618” COVID-19 outbreak brought “serious challenges” to the local government and Macau’s civil society. Ma acknowledged the government’s efforts that had finally contained the novel coronavirus in the community.
The 618 outbreak refers to Macau’s latest COVID-19 outbreak that began on June 18 and started to subside in late July. Macau returned to its normalised COVID-19 prevention and control period on August 8 following the 618 outbreak.
According to yesterday’s statement, Ma and his fellow members raised suggestions about various topics, such as an improved system aimed at attracting more non-local highly-qualified professionals to Macau, and improved COVID-19 prevention and control measures striking a right balance with the aim of boosting Macau’s economic recovery.
In addition, according to the statement, Ma and his fellow members suggested that the Macau government “gradually relax” its restrictions implemented for those holding a yellow Macau Health Code.
Currently, those with a yellow Macau Health Code are barred from entering certain premises and facilities in the city, using public transport, and entering the mainland from Macau.
A person’s health code indicates yellow due to various reasons, such as those still practising post-hotel-quarantine self-health management after arriving in Macau from countries and regions affected by COVID-19.
In addition, those who have booked a nucleic acid test (NAT) after coming down with COVID-19 symptoms will also have their Macau Health Code turn yellow. Their health code will only return to green after their test has come up with a negative result.
Moreover, those in various special groups who have been required by the government to undergo a nucleic acid test will also have their health code turn yellow if they fail to undergo the test in compliance with the government’s required schedule.
According to yesterday’s statement, Ao Ieong thanked the business sector for cooperating with the government in its battle against the 618 outbreak, including its implementation of 12-day “relatively static” restrictions on people’s movements and operations of businesses in July.
Ao Ieong also briefed the ACM members during the meeting about the government’s plans for its next year’s policies and measures in improving residents’ daily lives, supporting the development of new industries, and strengthening Macau’s cooperation with neighbouring regions, according to yesterday’s statement.
This undated handout photo released by the Macau Chamber of Commerce (ACM) yesterday shows Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U (left, back) attending a recent meeting with ACM senior members at the chamber’s headquarters in Zape.
