An outbreak of viral pneumonia in Wuhan city in central China has put Macau casinos on heightened alert. The gambling hub health bureau wants casinos to take preventive measures, including installing temperature screening devices in their entrances.
Several direct flights arrive in Macau every day from Wuhan, and thus, body check for customers is necessary by casinos, according to Macau health bureau. The outbreak was announced on Sunday after 60 people were diagnosed with a strange virus described as a form of pneumonia.
The outbreak is linked to the seafood market, which was closed due to infection on 1st January. The infected persons have been quarantined, but are said to be in critical conditions. Hong Kong officials also announced a similar case of fiver infection with 17 people who are said to have visited the city of Wuhan.
Tourist Boom
According to Casino.org, the outbreak of the disease will hinder the booming visitation of the gambling hub, which mainly attracts Chinese mainlanders. Macau usually attracts more visitors during the Christmas and New Year period.
Macau’s health bureau wants the borders and airport to increase checks. The bureau also wants casino staff to speak customers with signs of fever, whether they had visited Wuhan in the previous 14 days. Those found to have done so will be sent to the hospital immediately.
SARS Ruled Out
The Chines authority has ruled out the possibility of re-emergence of a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a virus that resulted in the death of about 700 people between 2002 and 2003. Macau gaming and hospitality industry benefits a lot from mainland visitors, but the outbreak of mystery illness is likely to influence the enclave revenue.
