Hong Kong, Dec. 12 (BNA): Macau’s government will allow those infected with COVID-19 to isolate at home from Wednesday, a major step toward easing strict anti-virus measures in the world’s gambling hub for the first time in nearly three years.
Health officials said infected patients will be able to stay home and self-monitor for five days. This will help reduce pressure on medical resources and maintain the “normal functioning of society,” the health office said in a statement on Sunday.
Macau, a Chinese special administrative region, has squarely followed the mainland’s coronavirus strategy since 2020, given its heavy reliance on Chinese visitors to fuel its gambling-dependent economy.
China has also begun to ease COVID-19 control measures.
Last week, Macau announced a relaxation of quarantine rules for overseas arrivals, to five days of hotel quarantine plus three days of home isolation, while ending routine testing for visitors from China and no longer locking down entire buildings when a confirmed case is detected.
Macau has kept an open border with the neighboring Chinese city of Zhuhai throughout the pandemic, though movement has been restricted by permit requirements, testing and other restrictions. Many people work and live on both sides of the border and commute daily.
The former Portuguese colony, which is home to more than 600,000 people, has recorded just over 900 coronavirus cases since 2020 and six deaths.
Macau’s Minister of Social Affairs and Culture, Elsie Ao, said last week that up to 80% of the city’s population could potentially contract COVID after a significant relaxation of isolation and epidemiological testing rules.
The crowded center contains only one general hospital and an overburdened healthcare system. Officials urged residents not to worry about contracting the virus as most cases have mild or no symptoms.
MI