Macao to close casinos for two weeks to fight coronavirus

Chief executive cites worker's confirmed infection as grounds for shutdown

20200204 Macao Casino closing due to virus 2

Visitations into Macao during the Lunar New Year holiday, usually a peak time for the city's casinos, plunged 78.3%, according to government statistics. © Getty Images

ZACH COLEMAN, Nikkei Asian Review deputy editor

February 4, 2020 18:45 JST

Updated on February 4, 2020 20:16 JST

HONG KONG -- Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng has directed the city's casinos to shut for two weeks as the world's biggest gambling center steps up its fight against the Wuhan coronavirus.

"It is a difficult decision to make, but we have to do it, as our priority is the health and safety of Macao people," said Ho, wearing a surgical mask, during an extended news conference on Tuesday. As justification, he cited the finding that a casino worker had tested positive for the virus.