On Saturday, the Chinese gambling haven of Macao extended its lockdown by five days as it battles the largest coronavirus outbreak in more than two years.
According to the authorities, businesses and industries will be shut down until July 23. It was originally planned for the lockdown, which started on July 11, to end on Sunday.
Authorities have instructed all people to remain inside their houses unless essential as part of the lockdown, which also includes the suspension of dine-in services. Anyone who must leave the house must use KN95 masks or something equivalent.
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On Friday, 31 cases were reported in the city, which has a population of 680,000. The city has reported almost 1,700 cases during its most recent outbreak, which started on June 18.
In a second statement, the government added that it will give out 10 billion patacas ($1.24 billion) to businesses that were impacted by the outbreak.
The primary employment in the city and the source of revenue for the government are casinos, which were first permitted to run despite the flare-up of cases in June but were then instructed to close as part of the lockdown last week.
