Inside Asian Gaming understands all six concessionaires have issued almost identical edicts, with those employees who do not comply to be prevented from entering the workplace.

One internal memo, which IAG has obtained a copy of, reads, “Team members who cannot present ‘Negative Nucleic Acid Test Result’ are prohibited to work and will be considered as unjustified absence with disciplinary action in place, unless Team Members applied [for] their own leave in advance and [were] approved by [their] department.”

The memo also says staff must take a weekly COVID-19 test which they must pay for themselves, unless they are fully vaccinated or have received their first dose within the past 30 days. Anyone who has received their first dose must receive a second within 30 days or be required to resume regular COVID-19 testing.

The measures are the latest effort by Macau’s concessionaires to help accelerate the rate of vaccination in Macau, which continues to lag at around 59%. The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre stated last week it would only consider dropping its zero-COVID policy once vaccination rates have reached at least 80%.

All six concessionaires have previously run vaccination drives aimed at encouraging staff to be vaccinated, but this is the first time they have effectively mandated it.
They are not alone, however. Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands announced this week that 97% of its staff were now vaccinated, Solaire Resort & Casino has vaccinated all of its rostered staff, while Australia’s Crown Resorts is introducing a mandatory vaccination policy applicable to all staff and guests.

By Ben Blaschke