The requirement for people to present a nucleic acid test certificate proving they are negative for COVID-19 infection, in order to enter a Macao casino, will be lifted after the stroke of midnight on Wednesday (3 March).

Gaming operators are nonetheless obliged to implement strictly other epidemic-control measures.

The latest rules for casino entry were announced today by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre, after taking into account the fact possession of such a certificate – issued within seven-days from intended arrival – is already a mandatory requirement for visitors from the mainland on arrival to Macao, under existing epidemic-control measures.

The Centre also noted a number of epidemic-control measures was already being closely adhered to on casino premises. They included: checks at entry points, to ensure patrons had current Macao Health Code clearance; a requirement that each patron and each casino-floor employee wear a protective face mask; the use of partitions to keep a distance between patrons at gaming tables; and the practising of social distancing.

In addition, the Centre was aware there was stability in terms of epidemic-related conditions on the mainland. With the weather getting warmer around the country, it was expected the outlook would further stabilise in terms of epidemic-related developments.

The number of infection cases reported on the mainland had significantly dropped since mid-February. No mainland city or area had been identified by the mainland authorities as a medium- or high-risk area for COVID-19 infection for 10 consecutive days; nor – as of today – had any new community transmission cases been reported for 24 consecutive days.

In Macao, a citywide COVID-19 vaccination programme had been launched on 9 February. As of 6pm on Monday (1 March), a total of 15,250 people had received a first jab. As of that time, an additional 35,938 people had been able to confirm an appointment for initial vaccination.

As of Monday, Macao had not recorded any locally-infected COVID-19 case for 337 consecutive days.

Macao had dealt with a total of 48 confirmed COVID-19 patients since the start of the pandemic and has had zero COVID-19-related deaths and zero infections among medical staff.