Macau casino shares hammered amid empty streets

July 12, 2022 Macau Crime & Legal

Streets in Macau were largely empty yesterday, with all casinos and other nonessential businesses shut on the first day of a week-long suspension to fight the Covid wave, while Hong Kong reported 2,863 infections and seven deaths.

As the gambling city raced to contain a growing outbreak – with 59 new cases, taking the tally in this wave to 1,526 – residents were ordered to stay at home unless they needed to buy daily supplies or get tested.

Police have issued 63,000 “work permits” for these people, which must be checked when they take public transport.

They must also wear KN95 masks or ones of equivalent protection, instead of surgical masks, when they go out.

Transport authorities said that between 5.30am and 9am, 430 buses took 7,200 passengers to work, but drivers rejected 126 passengers who failed to present their work permits.

Taxi drivers were required to wear face shields when working.