MGM donated today 500,000 facemasks to the Macau government to support its anti-novel coronavirus (COVID-19) measures, the local arm of the US gaming operator said in a statement. According to the statement, the facemasks were presented to the government "in one go" by MGM China Holdings Limited CEO and Executive Director Grant Bowie and President, Chief Strategic Officer and Director Kenneth Feng Xiaofeng to Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U.
"MGM is closely monitoring the [novel] coronavirus epidemic situation and has rolled out a series of epidemic relief and preventive measures over the past week, joining hands with different sectors of the Macau community to combat the epidemic," the statement said.
The statement quoted MGM China Co-chairperson and Executive Director Pansy Ho Chiu-king as saying that "the glamour of Macau is temporarily dimmed by the epidemic, but our warmth keeps growing." Ho added that "under the leadership of the Macau government, I strongly believe we will win this battle against the epidemic in unity. Cheer up, Hubei! Cheer up, Macau!".
The statement pointed out that "earlier, MGM donated 20 million patacas [US$2.5 million], made in coordination with the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region [MSAR], to help Hubei province purchase preventive and medical supplies, as well as urgently needed materials and equipment."
The statement noted that MGM has waived the rents of its retail tenants for 15 days "in order to alleviate their burden".
MGM owns two of Macau's 41 casinos, which have been closed for 15 days by government order as part of its prevention measures against the virus threat. The casinos are allowed to reopen at 00:00 tomorrow.
