All workers and patrons at the city’s casinos will have to wear protective face masks, a measure that had been introduced prior to the casino closure order. The Macau government said on Monday additional measures, including adjusting the minimum distance between gaming tables, would be introduced to ensure the safety of workers and clients.
From February 5, Macau closed all of its casinos – and its other major centres of entertainment – in an effort to prevent a novel coronavirus spreading locally. There was a total of 10 confirmed cases within Macau until Monday, with five patients – all tourists from Wuhan, in Hubei province, the centre of the outbreak – having recovered and gone home after treatment in a Macau hospital.
No new cases have been reported in Macau since February 4.
The casino closure order is having a big impact on casino operators in Macau. During a conference call with investment analysts last week, management at MGM Resorts International said the closure of the group’s two Macau casinos was costing it US$1.5 million a day, the “majority” of that comprised of staff pay.
Rival casino operator Wynn Resorts Ltd said on February 6 that the temporary closure of its two casinos in Macau was costing the group between US$2.4 million to US$2.6 million a day.
Source: GMB
