Casino Oceanus closed for disinfection, Sands Macao to remain open
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Casino Oceanus at Jai Alai will be closed temporarily for disinfection works after a recent confirmed Covid-19 case was found to have been in the casino for several hours, health authorities announced today (Tuesday).
The 72nd confirmed Covid-19 case reported in Macau, a mainland Chinese worker who stayed in three local hotels during his time in the SAR was found to have played in the casino for several hours.
“Today we have dispatched cleaning staff to Oceanus for disinfection and the casino will suspend its activities. All its workers will be tested today and tomorrow and we will pay close attention to them,” Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre Coordinator Dr. Leong Iek Hou said in today’s pandemic update press conference.
Casino Oceanus is one of 18 properties owned by SJM Holdings Limited and holds 300 gaming tables and 500 slot machines.
The patient is a 46-year-old male mainland decoration worker, who lives in Doumen, Zhuhai who after returning to Macau on September 26 he was left stranded in the city following the enforcement of the 14-day quarantine policy for entries in Zhuhai and rented a room in three local hotels, Emperor Hotel, Sands Macao Hotel and Victoria Hotel.
However, while the Emperor Hotel and Victoria Hotel have been designated as red code areas, the Sands Macao has remained opened after disinfection works were carried out.
According to Dr. Leong the man stayed in a room at Sands Macao on September 27 and since the next day he tested positive health authorities believe the risk of transmission was low.
“During his stay, he also only stayed in his room and did not use any other facilities or establishments in the hotel. However, he went many times to Casino Oceanus, each staying for 2 to 3 hours. Therefore we considered the risk of transmission in the casino was higher,” Dr. Leong said.
The man carried out several nucleic acid test results which came out negative on September 28 and 30, however, a result turned back positive on October 4.
Macau authorities have also again ordered the closure of entertainment venues in the city- excluding casinos – from midnight of October 6, as part of pandemic prevention efforts.
The discovery of four new cases in just two days has also led to the city’s third mass testing initiative, which will progress until 9:00pm of October 7.
