Macau's Correctional Services Bureau (DSC) announced today that prison visitations will be suspended sine die from tomorrow as a part of the government's measures to prevent the novel coronavirus from spreading in the city.
According to a statement by the bureau, the measure applies to the city's prison and the juvenile detention facility, both of which are located in Coloane. The prison comprises a multi-building complex and a separate high-security facility.
The bureau said it would announce the lifting of the suspension in due course.
PRISON ESCAPEE RECAPTURED
Meanwhile, the police have recaptured an illegal immigrant from the mainland who had escaped from the public hospital during a medical examination on Thursday.
The 44-year old man entered Macau illegally late last month. When he was caught by the police he was having a fever, runny nose, score throat and cough. He told the police that he had been in Wuhan between January 20-24. After his detention he was taken to the special emergency ward of the Conde de S. Januario Hospital Centre for tests that turned out to be negative.
He escaped from the public hospital while he was in isolation as a suspected novel coronavirus patient. He tested negative for the deadly virus before his escape.
Government-owned broadcaster TDM reported today that after his recapture the man would be tested again for the virus. According to the TDM report, the police assume that the man lied when he told them after his first detention that he had been in Wuhan. He faces criminal charges for re-entering Macau illegally and escaping from custody.
