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| Macao's cases are still far below daily infections in other places, including neighbouring Hong Kong where cases have jumped to close to 2,000 a day this month. People queue for COVID-19 testing in Macao on Jun 20, 2022. (File photo by= REUTERS/John Mak) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] HONG KONG: Authorities in the world's biggest gambling hub Macao are scrambling to contain the city's biggest coronavirus outbreak since the pandemic began, requiring all residents to test daily and stay home as much as possible, Reuters reported.
Health, police, and fire services staff are among the more than 570 infected cases, the government said on Thursday (Jun 30). Residents must test daily for the virus using Rapid Antigen kits. The Chinese special administrative region carried out three city-wide mass coronavirus tests for its more than 600,000 residents in the space of a week. More than 7,000 people are in mandatory quarantine. Macao, a former Portuguese colony, destroyed 100kg of mango fruit from Taiwan after a sample tested positive for the coronavirus, the government said on Thursday. Imports of mangos from the Taiwanese manufacturer would be banned for one week, it said.
Sands China's Sheraton hotel located on Macao's Las Vegas-style Cotai strip has allocated 2,000 rooms to asymptomatic patients. More than 20 zones across the city are locked down as authorities try to cut the chains of transmission for the rapidly spreading BA.5.1 Omicron variant. Authorities have asked people to remain at home as much as possible with most of the city effectively closed, including bars, hair salons, and outdoor parks. Only takeaway is allowed from dining facilities.
