Macau’s gaming regulator says it will assist the city’s casino operators in purchasing additional temperature detection equipment in order to strengthen the prevention and control of infectious diseases within casinos and integrated resorts.
The move follows concerns over an outbreak of viral pneumonia in Wuhan, central China, and the subsequent reporting by Macau medical institutions of eight cases of patients who had recently traveled to Wuhan presenting with respiratory symptoms.
After meeting with representatives of Macau’s six concessionaires late last week to brief them on new measures aimed at preventing the outbreak of disease, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau announced on Tuesday that it would assist operators in purchasing necessary equipment in order to expedite the process.
“Since Macau raised the warning level of ‘Unknown Cause of Pneumonia in Wuhan’ to Level III on January 5, six gaming companies have successively used hand-held probe guns to detect body temperature at the entrance of the casino,” the DICJ said.
“At the same time, a body temperature detection equipment system has also been purchased, which is ready to be installed at the entrance and exit of the casino to speed up the temperature measurement.
“As casinos need to purchase a large amount of temperature detection equipment in a short period of time, the DICJ and the Health Bureau have assisted gaming companies to speed up the purchase and arrival of equipment.
“The DICJ attaches great importance to the safety of the casino’s operating environment and will take effective measures to reduce the impact of infectious diseases on entertainment.”
Macau’s Health Bureau reported on Tuesday that seven of the eight cases of onset fever and respiratory symptoms it had received reports on had since been diagnosed with viral infections such as influenza or common cold, with the remaining case still being treated in hospital isolation.
