The Macau government said in a statement today that more than 100 million facemasks have been sold since January 23,when it launched its official mask-selling programme.
Under the programme, both residents and non-resident workers are entitled to buy 10 masks at the fixed price of 8 patacas (US$1) every 10 days from designated pharmacies, public health centres and community association outlets. The face coverings are colloquially known in English as "government masks".
The statement attributed the deceleration of the COVID-19 pandemic in Macau to the population's willingness to cooperate with the government's anti-epidemic measures such as by wearing facemasks when out and about. The statement noted that the widespread wearing of facemasks has resulted in a "community defence line" against the contagious novel coronavirus disease.
Macau has not recorded a local COVID-19 case for 106 days, according to official figures. Just one of the 46 COVID-19 patients in Macau is still in hospital. The Health Bureau (SSM) has classified 44 of the cases as imported, while it has classified two of the cases as "connected to imported cases."
Macau's first COVID-19 case was confirmed on January 22. No COVID-19 fatality has been reported.
Observers have pointed out that close to 100 percent of people in Macau have been wearing facemasks since late January. Facemasks are mandatory on public administration premises and public transport, as well as in casinos and schools.
The government's 18th round of facemasks sales began on Saturday.
Aside from the "government masks", face coverings are also available on the private market at commercial prices.
Macau had a population of 696,100 - comprising residents and non-resident workers - at the end of March, according to official statistics.
