Macau’s casinos are among a range of commercial and industrial businesses that will be permitted to reopen from this Saturday 23 July, the government has announced.

Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng confirmed Wednesday that businesses deemed essential to the operation of the community and the livelihood of residents, plus commercial and industrial establishments, will be allowed to operate on a limited basis starting from midnight on the morning of 23 July.

Casino staff also told IAG they had been notified that casinos would reopen in response to the order.

Cinemas, indoor playgrounds, beauty salons, gyms, health clubs, karaoke establishments, bars, nightclubs, discos, dance halls, cabarets and public swimming pools will remain closed, while restaurants will only be able to offer takeaway food.

Barbershops will be allowed to operate on a limited basis, subject to the health authorities’ guidelines on epidemic prevention and people will be allowed to walk their dogs.

At the daily press conference, Health Bureau director Alvis Lo said, “Casinos will be reopened but no more than 50% of staff can be inside the casino and a single space must be arranged for staff during the meal period.”

It was also revealed that, during Macau’s two-week “consolidation period”, people will be required to wear N95 masks when outside and should stay home if it is not essential to leave.

“During the consolidation period the government will open some parks for the public to relax and take a walk, but no running will be allowed,” Lo said. “People will be required to wear masks but they will not be allowed to run because of the health effects of strenuous exercise [while wearing] masks.”

The relaxed rules come as the Health Bureau confirmed 18 new positive cases of COVID-19 detected on July 18, of which 13 cases were found in quarantine, two in close contacts, two via universal nucleic acid testing among key populations and one in other populations within the community. The cumulative total since the start of this outbreak on 18 June is 1,783 cases.

By Pierce Chang