New tests for all Macau residents

Wallis Wang and Reuters

Macau has launched a third round of mandatory Covid testing for its more than 677,000 residents in a push to curb a rise in infections in the world's biggest gambling center.

Authorities locked down many buildings and put more than 5,000 people in quarantine in the past few days, the Macau government said yesterday.

Ninety-six new infections were recorded on Sunday, taking the total number of cases to 357 since the middle of the month.

Two rounds of PCR tests have been conducted in Macau in the past week and the latest round is expected to end today.

But residents have to undergo a rapid test at home and report their results before heading to testing stations for the mandatory testing, the government added.

It urged people to avoid traveling to other districts for the tests so that fewer passengers would take public transportation.

Authorities have asked people to remain at home as much as possible, with most of the city effectively closed, including bars, hair salons and parks. Only takeaways are allowed from dining places.

Casinos, while mostly deserted, are allowed to stay open, the government said, in a move to protect jobs.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, recorded 1,873 cases - 1,719 local and 154 imported.

The Hong Kong government said all social distancing curbs will remain unchanged until at least July 13, including a requirement for rapid tests for bar and club customers and a ban on public gatherings of more than four people.

The Centre for Health Protection's principal medical and health officer, Albert Au Ka-wing, said he expects the daily caseload to rise to 2,000.

But there will be no be large-scale outbreaks, he said, adding the number of hospitalizations and severe cases remained stable.

The cluster from Victoria Harbour Restaurant at Chelsea Heights Plaza in Tuen Mun saw five more infections yesterday, taking the tally to 47.

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department found that the air change at the restaurant was far lower than the standard.

"Authorities also found that all patients were diners who visited the restaurant on June 16 and we assume there was a superspreader," Au said.

Health authorities also received 464 reports of infections from 335 schools. Seven schools saw clusters of 26 cases. Classes with clusters were asked to suspend face-to-face teaching for a week.

The seven schools are United Christian College (Kowloon East) in Kwun Tong, SRBCEPSA Lu Kwong Fai Memorial School in Kwai Chung, ABC Pathways School's Whampoa campus, Yuen Long Church (CCC) Chan Kwong Kindergarten, Pui Ching Middle School in Ho Man Tin, HHCKLA Buddhist Wai Kwong Kindergarten in Fanling and SKH Kindly Light Church Holy Carpenter Kindergarten in Lam Tin.

Three elderly care homes - Tung Sin Tan Home For The Aged, Oasis Nursing Home in Wong Tai Sin and Pine Care Place in Yuen Long - saw four staff and two residents come down with Covid.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com