China - Lockdown in Macau lifted, casinos resume operations

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

マカオのロックダウン解除、カジノも営業再開　中国

2022.08.02 Tue posted at 11:42 JST

（ＣＮＮ） 中国南部のギャンブルのメッカ、マカオで１カ月以上続いていた新型コロナウイルス対策のロックダウン（都市封鎖）が解除され、２日から飲食店や娯楽施設などが営業を再開する。

当局によると、９日連続で市中感染の報告がなかったことから解除に踏み切った。

２日からはほとんどの施設で、入場前の７２時間以内に受けた新型コロナ検査の陰性証明提示を求められる。

マカオ市衛生局によると、住民の９０％以上は新型コロナのワクチン接種を完了しているが、市は中国政府の「ゼロコロナ」政策を厳格に守ってきた。

新型コロナの流行を受けて商店や事業所などの多くは６月半ばから休業し、カジノもこの２年あまりで初めて、７月１１日から営業中止を強いられた。カジノは同月２３日から、人数制限を設けて営業を再開していた。

中国本土からの観光収入に依存するマカオにとって、ギャンブルは生命線であり、ロックダウンによって経済が脅かされる状態が続いていた。

保健当局の７月３１日の発表によると、今回の流行が始まった６月１８日以来、マカオで報告された症例は１８２１例。同市にとっては過去最多だった。

現時点でマカオを訪問できるのは香港、台湾、中国本土の住民のみ。中国本土の危険性が低い地域を除き、ほとんどの訪問客は到着後１０日の隔離が義務付けられている。

Translation

(CNN) Macau, the Mecca of gambling in southern China, had lifted its lockdown (city closure) against the new coronavirus that had lasted for more than a month; restaurants and entertainment facilities would resume operations from the 2nd.

According to the authorities, after there were no reports of community-acquired infections for nine days in a row, it took action to lift it.

From the 2nd, most facilities would require a negative proof of a new coronavirus test taken within 72 hours before entering.

According to the Macau Municipal Health Department, while the city was strictly adhering to the Chinese government's "zero coronavirus" policy, more than 90% of residents had completed their vaccination against the new coronavirus

Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, many shops and offices were closed from mid-June, and casinos were forced to suspend operations from July 11 for the first time in more than two years. The casino resumed operations on the 23rd of the same month and allowed operation with a limit on the number of people.

Gambling had been a lifeline for Macau, which relied on revenue from mainland China tourists, and lockdowns continued to threaten the economy.

Health officials announced on July 31 that 1,821 cases had been reported in Macau since the outbreak began on June 18. It was the highest number ever for the city.

Currently, only residents of Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China were allowed to visit Macau. Except for low-risk areas in mainland China, most visitors were required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.

              So, Macau has practiced a zero-tolerance policy in dealing with Covid-19. I am interested in knowing that how long it will take for a new Covid-19 case to occur again in Macau.