Government could extend 15-day closure of Macau’s casinos

“We cannot go back to normal life right now even though we have not had any new cases in the last six days,” SS Director Lei Chin Ion, said.

Macau.- Macau authorities are evaluating whether to re-open its 41 casinos after the 15-day closure period or to keep them shut as the Coronavirus outbreak continues to worsen.

“The end of the epidemic is unpredictable and unknown. The situation in Macau is still very tough, we cannot go back to normal life right now even though we have not had any new cases in the last six days,” SS Director, Lei Chin Ion, said at a press conference on Monday. 

Last week, Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng ordered the closure of all of Macau’s casinos, slot machine parlours, VIP clubs and horse and sports betting venues which have closed their doors until February 20.

Other measures have been taken to halt the deadly virus including Macasu’s 23 hotels closing their doors.

Despite no new confirmed cases, it is known that at least five Coronavirus patients identified in nearby cities had visited Macau’s casinos and hotels before testing positive.