The Macau government's Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre has issued the following statement this morning. The statement has been edited by The Macau Post Daily.
The novel coronavirus epidemic situation in Macau has continuously remained stable over the last two months. Referencing the anti-COVID-19 experience worldwide, the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre will adjust its mask wearing requirements starting tomorrow.
In general, one is not required to wear a facemask in outdoor places; however, masks are still required to enter medical institutions (except for inpatients), senior citizen and rehabilitation homes (except for service users living there), or on board public transport other than taxis (both drivers and passengers). As for other indoor venues and modes of transport, their supervisory entities should exercise discretion after assessing such factors as the prevailing epidemic situation, air circulation in the venues/modes of transport, crowd numbers and density, as well as the nature and duration of activities, etc. If masks are still required, an announcement or a notice should be made in an appropriate manner.
Under certain circumstances, such as large-scale gatherings, nurseries and non-tertiary education institutions where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurs, or a surge of cases in Macau, the organisers or supervisory entities should require people to wear a mask before entering the premises. In addition, people should wear a mask if they come down with fever, myalgia (muscular pain), sore throat, cough, runny nose or other flu-like symptoms. However, infants and children three years of age or younger can be exempted from using a mask in any venue.
The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre stresses that the indoor mask-wearing requirements can be adjusted again according to the actual development of the COVID-19 situation. Members of the public should carry facemasks with them when going out, so that they can wear them if necessary; they should also have at least two weeks’ supply of masks at home in case of emergency needs. In the event of fever, myalgia, sore throat, cough, runny nose and other suspected symptoms, one should perform a rapid antigen test (RAT – selftest) or go to a medical institution for a nucleic acid test (NAT). Those who have completed a rapid antigen test (RAT) are encouraged to upload their result to the designated declaration platform ( https://app.ssm.gov.mo/generalrat) to record their infection status and facilitate the authorities' ongoing epidemic surveillance.
The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre reminds the elderly and people with chronic underlying diseases of the importance of seeking timely medical treatment if they are infected with COVID-19, who may not have severe symptoms in the early stage but their condition may worsen a few days later. To reduce the risk of infection, members of the public should:
1. Receive COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots;
2. Maintain good personal hygiene, wear masks as required, and wash hands frequently;
3. Ensure adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise;
4. Cover one's mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, put the used tissue in a covered trash can and wash one's hands as soon as possible; when no tissue is available right away, cover one's mouth and nose with one's elbow instead of your palm;
5. Maintain air circulation and good environmental hygiene;
6. Immunocompromised individuals, such as the elderly and people with chronic underlying diseases, should avoid staying in crowded places and wear a mask whenever necessary;
7. If you have fever, cough or other symptoms, put on a mask, seek medical attention in a time manner and stay home for rest.
