Coronavirus: casinos to close in Macau for at least two weeks after hotel worker infected
- Major blow for world’s casino capital as Macau leader says fortnight hiatus will come into force soon
- Galaxy Macau employee, 29, caught the virus in local transmission at Lunar New Year gathering
Casinos will close for 15 days in Macau to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus after a hotel worker was locally infected, the city’s leader said on Tuesday.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, Macau said the suspension would start at midnight. Casinos, along with 18 other types of premises including bars, cinemas and massage parlours, would be forced to close by law during the period.
Other premises to close include theatres, gaming arcades, fitness centres, internet cafes, bowling centres, beauty parlours, night clubs, karaoke venues and discos.
The temporary shutdown at the world’s biggest gambling hub came as Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng confirmed two more cases of the virus, bringing the city’s total to 10.
The ninth patient – a 29-year-old female hotel worker who caught the virus during a private Lunar New Year gathering in Macau – signalled the contagion was spreading within the city, Ho said in the afternoon.
He added the government had decided to shut down gambling activities for at least two weeks because the Galaxy Macau member of staff had shared shuttle buses and canteen facilities with other casino employees.