The Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has instructed casinos to cut their workforce by 90% as the area battles its most severe COVID-19 surge since the pandemic’s start. This order, part of a broader initiative to briefly lower total operational capacity by 10%, seeks to guarantee sufficient personnel beyond current needs.
Although designed as a short-term measure to control infections, the consequences for Macau’s casino employees and their companies are substantial. Local reports suggest these personnel reductions are presently set to run from July 1st to July 8th, 2022. Nevertheless, prolonging this timeframe is feasible, particularly if infection numbers keep rising.
Currently, the DICJ hasn’t formally verified these actions, but a statement is anticipated shortly.
This development comes after a recent adjustment in testing protocols for construction and casino staff. Initially, they were obligated to provide a negative nucleic acid test every 48 hours. This has been substituted with a demand for rapid antigen test outcomes, which are simpler to administer. The change was driven by logistical hurdles and congestion at testing sites due to the high volume of workers requiring tests.
By the conclusion of June 30th, 2022, Macau had sadly experienced an increase in COVID-19 infections. Sixty-six fresh cases were documented, elevating the cumulative case count to 638 since the commencement of the global outbreak.