Addressing yesterday’s press conference about Macau’s novel coronavirus situation, the Health Bureau’s (SSM) Control of Communicable Diseases and Surveillance of Diseases Department Coordinator Leong Iek Hou said that her bureau has concluded that the city’s barbecue sites and the campsite at Hác Sá Beach Park – the city’s only public facility of its kind – can reopen, provided that certain COVID-19 prevention measures are strictly carried out there.
Leong also said that the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), the government entity managing the city’s barbecue sites, will soon announce details of the reopening conditions.
The city’s barbecue sites have been closed since early this year when the COVID-19 epidemic emerged in Macau. The city’s various public recreational facilities such as parks, recreational areas and sports facilities have gradually reopened after their respective COVID-19 epidemic-induced closures.
Leong said that the Health Bureau has been in close communication with the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) for the possible reopening of the city’s barbecue sites and the campsite in Hác Sá Beach Park.
In a recent meeting with IAM officials, SSM officials have suggested that for the time being the city’s barbecue sites and the Hác Sá Beach Park campsite can reopen as long as certain COVID-19 prevention measures are strictly implemented, according to which users will have to wear a facemask, present their Macau Health Code to staff, and adhere to one-metre social distancing rules, according to Leong.
Leong said that the Municipal Affairs Bureau will announce details of the reopening of its barbecue sites and the Hác Sá Beach Park campsite once it completes its preparation work for their reopening.
Macau has not recorded a new COVID-19 case for 90 days, while no local case has been confirmed in 179 days.
Meanwhile, Lau Fong Chi, who heads the Public Relations Division of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), said during yesterday’s press conference that residents who want to join her office’s “Macao Ready Go! Local Tours” programme – a subsidised programme for residents joining tour groups organised by travel agencies to tour the city which will run until next Wednesday, need to sign up by Sunday at the latest.
