Casino Oceanus to temporary close due to Covid-19 cases
SJM Holdings has reported that Casino Oceanus will be temporarily closed for disinfection after one person with Covid-19 visited the venue.
Macau.- Until now the temporary closure of entertainment venues in Macau due to local cases of Covid-19 had not affected gaming floors. But Casino Oceanus has now announced that it will close for disinfection after a customer was found to have tested positive for Covid-19.
SJM Holdings said all of its workers have been tested. The casino has suspended activities until further notice.
According to Dr. Leong Iek Hou, Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre Coordinator, the customer who tested positive didn’t use any other facilities in the hotel, but he went to Casino Oceanus several times, staying for 2 to 3 hours each time. Hou said: “Therefore we considered the risk of transmission in the casino was higher.”
Authorities have ordered all entertainment venues, excluding casinos, to suspend operations from October 6 until further notice. The measure covers cinemas, theatres, game consoles and electronic-game rooms and nightclubs, among other venues.
Although casino venues have not been ordered to close their gaming floors, resorts must shut their spas, gymnasiums, lounges and bars. It is still unknown how long the measure will last or whether it could be extended to gaming floors.
Macau gaming law consultation session cancelled again
The Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has cancelled the second scheduled meeting for the public consultation on gaming laws. The meeting was to be held on October 9.
According to a DICJ statement, the cancellation was due to local cases of Covid-19 in the city. The first consultation meeting was also cancelled. Lei Wai Nong, secretary for economy and finance, said then that the schedule for the consultation would continue for the planned 45 days.
After the gaming law revision is finished, there will be 180 days to write the final report, after which a draft will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for additional conversation.
