The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, today stated the Government remained highly vigilant about developments concerning the newly-identified coronavirus found in the Wuhan pneumonia outbreak, and had contingency plans in place over the Lunar New Year holidays, so as to ensure the safety of the Macao public.

On the first day of the Year of the Rat, Mr Ho visited respectively the Conde S. Januário Hospital, the Areia Preta Health Centre, and the Macao boundary checkpoint serving the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, to review implementation of disease-control measures.

During those visits, the Chief Executive thanked all front-line workers for their effort and dedication in serving the community. When talking to public-sector workers, Mr Ho encouraged them in their efforts at disease prevention, while also urging them to pay close attention to their personal safety.

While at an emergency ward at the Conde S. Januário Hospital, Mr Ho was briefed on triage procedures for patients, including protocols for handling special cases. Mr Ho then visited the Areia Preta Health Centre, in order to observe arrangements there regarding sales of protective face masks.

At the Macao boundary checkpoint for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Mr Ho was briefed on arrangements for screening each traveller’s body temperature as they moved through the facility, including how the equipment used collected data on their health. The Chief Executive paid particular attention to the online system employed there and at other boundary checkpoints that enables travellers to make a formal declaration about the state of their health. He was told the system was running smoothly.

During today’s site visits, Mr Ho reiterated that members of the public should remain at home during the Lunar New Year holidays, and avoid unnecessary outings.