The Health Bureau (SSM) yesterday ordered all casino employees to continue wearing facemasks until March 22 next year.
The order signed by Health Bureau Director Lei Chin Ion and published in the Official Gazette (BO) yesterday states that the half-year extension of the mandatory wearing of facemasks by casino staff is due to the “evolution of the novel coronavirus disease”.
The obligatory wearing of facemasks by casino workers was imposed by the government on January 22, when Macau confirmed its first COVID-19 case.
The measure, which is based on the Law on the Prevention, Control and Treatment of Communicable Diseases, had been extended before but never for such a long period of time.
Macau has been without new COVID-19 cases for some three months. The measure was gazetted on the same day that visitors from all mainland provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities are again permitted to enter Macau. Zhuhai residents have again been allowed to enter Macau since August 12, while those from elsewhere in Guangdong have again been permitted to travel to Macau since August 26.
All casino workers were tested for COVID-19 a few weeks ago. None of them tested positive for the disease.
Gamblers seeking entry into a casino must wear a facemask, undergo a temperature check and show proof of a negative nucleic acid test (NAT).
