A staff member checks the temperature of a guest entering the New Orient Landmark hotel in Macao on Jan 22, 2020, after the former Portuguese colony reported its first case of the new SARS-like virus that originated from Wuhan in China. (ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP)
Macao is tightening immigration controls at its land ports, as the new coronavirus outbreak in the SAR is expected to get worse after Lunar New Year, Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng announced.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday after a meeting with Zhuhai officials about precautions against the outbreak that began in Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei province, Ho said a joint mechanism in immigration control will be in place at the border.
All outgoing and incoming travelers for both cities will be required to have their temperatures taken to avoid further spreading the coronavirus, Ho said. As of Thursday afternoon, it also required all travelers coming into the city via land ports to make health declarations.
Macao is preparing for the worst possible coronavirus-infection scenario that could occur after the Lunar New Year
Ho Iat Seng, Macao chief executive
Macao is preparing for the worst possible coronavirus-infection scenario that could occur after the Lunar New Year, Ho said.
Ho noted the grim condition of coronavirus infections on the Chinese mainland and predicted ballooning contagion cases when residents return from the mainland after the New Year holiday. “I personally believe that’s the most difficult time for health control,” Ho said.
Ho said that over 3,000 people from Hubei, including Wuhan, currently live in Macao, based on the latest visas issued in January. Residents include students, tourists, employees and their relatives.
Ho advised them to cancel their trips back to Hubei for New Year for their sake of personal health. “But if they insist on going, we suggest them not to come back to Macao while the virus is still running rampant,” Ho said.
Ho also said that the government has placed an order for over 20 million masks, and they will be made available through designated pharmacies.
Macao also announced on Thursday it was canceling its New Year fireworks and dragon dances.
It also reported the first case of coronavirus infection on Wednesday and a second one a day later.
Asked about the possibility of controlling the numbers of travelers from Hubei, Ho said this would depend on the situation. But right now he doesn’t deem this option possible. He said that even during the SARS epidemic, Macao didn’t limit the entry of Hong Kong people.
