Macau splashes the cash again

Macau permanent citizens will receive 10,000 patacas (HK$9,727), starting today, with the elderly, students and retirees the first group of recipients, authorities announced yesterday.

Each non-permanent citizen will also receive MOP6,000 through the scheme.

The cash will be handed to the public earlier than in previous years - citizens usually received the handout in July - as the economy and people's livelihoods are gravely affected by Covid-19.

Elders, students and retirees will receive the MOP10,000 through autopay services while recipients of disability subsidies and financial assistance from the Social Welfare Bureau will get the cash starting Wednesday and Thursday.

Crossed checks will be posted starting from April 19 for five weeks, according to the recipients' year of birth.

The Financial Services Bureau expected about 690,000 permanent citizens and 46,000 non-permanent citizens will benefit from the MOP7.2 billion scheme.

In addition, an electronic voucher scheme will start in May, aiming to triple Macau's domestic consumption.

The scheme works on a "consumption first and obtaining vouchers later" principle. Citizens will be given electronic vouchers of up to 5,000 patacas, according to the amount of their consumption.

An improvement to the scheme will be announced today.