Macau launched a new city-wide COVID-19 inspection round on Monday for more than 600,000 residents. The worst outbreak that hit the world's largest gambling hub since the pandemic began.
Coronavirus testing for all residents is done three times this week throughout the city, during which time a rapid antigen test is required.
This move is due to the former Portuguese colony reporting 90 new cases on Sunday, with the total number of infections reaching 784 since mid-June. Over 11,000 people have been quarantined.
Macau, China's SAR, has not introduced the full-scale blockade found in mainland China cities like Shanghai, but the cities are already largely closed.
All non-essential government services will be closed, schools, parks, sports and entertainment facilities will be closed, and restaurants will only offer takeaway.
The casino is allowed to remain open, but most staff are required to stay home, following the instructions given to the city's residents. The government said it would not close the casino to protect its jobs.
Strict measures will be taken after Macau has become almost COVID-free since its outbreak in October 2021.
Macau adheres to China's "Zero COVID" policy aimed at eradicating all outbreaks. At any cost, it goes against the global tendency to coexist with the virus.
Macau cases are far below daily infections elsewhere. This includes neighboring Hong Kong, where cases surged to more than 2,000 a day this month.
However, there is only one public hospital and its services are already being expanded on a daily basis. This territory borders mainland China, and many inhabitants live and work in the neighboring city of Zhuhai.
