Macau closes borders after new infections

Macau closed its borders to all non-residents as of midnight on March 18, with the exception of blue-card holders and residents from greater China, after another case of imported Covid-19.

For reasons of public interest concerning the prevention, control and treatment of disease, and in exceptional cases needed to maintain the basic living needs of residents, health authorities may waive some non-residents from the entry restrictions, the government said.

Macau had been without new infections for 40 days, though earlier this week detected the virus in a Korean woman returning from Portugal and a Spanish national.

Analysts say the territory is on track for a decline of about 80 percent in gross gambling revenue this month, following a more than 87 percent plunge in February, after the casinos were forced to close down for 15 days.

However, visitation to Macau from areas outside greater China is only about 10 percent and therefore key to recovery will be easing of travel restrictions with the Mainland.

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