The Macau government has announced that it will maintain its lockdown policy next week, with the suspension of industrial and commercial businesses and the prohibition of people going outside unless it is essential.
An executive order issued by the Chief Executive of Macau today, to take effect from midnight at the start of Monday 18 July, ordered the closure of all companies, entities and establishments that carry out industrial and commercial activities, with the exception of those that provide public services essentials, namely the supply of water, electricity, natural gas and fuels, telecommunications, public transport and garbage collection.
Those that provide services necessary for the essential functioning of society, such as hotel accommodation, cleaning and hygiene, building administration, wholesale trade and transport of basic goods for everyday life; and those necessary to maintain the daily life of citizens, namely markets, supermarkets, restaurants, beverage establishments, food establishments, pharmacies and establishments providing health care, may also remain open, as well as companies, entities or establishments that have been “exceptionally authorized”.
Casinos are among the establishments that must remain closed.
All citizens must stay in their homes, except for those who have to go out for essential work, to buy supplies, or for other emergency reasons; they must wear masks when they go out, and adults must wear masks of KN95 standard or above.
After the implementation of the lockdown policy from 11 July, there were many comments from the public, the loudest being that pet dogs were not allowed outside.
As of Thursday, 25 people have been prosecuted for violating the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Law.
There were 31 new positive cases in Macau on Friday, the same number as confirmed on Thursday. The total number of cases so far is 1,706.