The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has reminded Macau’s six concessionaires of the importance of maintaining vigilance in preventative measures against COVID-19 following resumption of Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for all of Guangdong Province, warning that casinos might be closed down again if any new cases originate from casino floors.
The head of DICJ’s Inspection of Games of Fortune Department (DIJFA), Vong Chi Fu, and the head of the Judiciary Police’s Gaming-related and Economic Crimes Investigation Department, Luís Leong, met with representatives of the concessionaires on Monday.
The SAR government requires all guests entering casino floors submit negative COVID-19 virus test certificates obtained within the previous seven days, while gaming tables are limited to a maximum four players and every other slot machine disabled to maintain social distancing. All guests must also have their temperature and show a “green” health code upon entering casino floors.
Vong underlined that preventive works were still the focus of DICJ, reminding operators to formulate a plan to separate customers once visitors start to return.
Guangdong Province resumed the approval of IVS from Wednesday, although it will take at least a week before any increase in visitation is seen given the approval period for visas is seven days. Gaming and tourism industries are therefore hoping to see a notable improvement from early September.
Leong said that strict casino entry policies were vital given what was at stake, with operators told to report to the DICJ and Judiciary Police immediately if any guests enter their casinos using fake information, health codes or virus test results.