HONG KONG (Reuters) – MGM Cotai’s Macau casino, operated through MGM China, closed on Sunday morning after a broker was found to be inflamed with COVID-19 at the world’s largest gaming hub, local publication Inside Asian Gaming reported.
MGM did not respond to a request for comment.
The closure is a blow to casino operators who have already been suffering from COVID restrictions for more than two and a half years.
Government fitness personnel were at the MGM Cotai site without being allowed in or out of the building, Inside Asian Gaming said. He said internal visitors to the assets had been informed through staff that the closure could last only two days.
The publication said it could not immediately determine how many more people were inside.
The closure comes after Macau detected its momentary case of coronavirus this month, after having had no cases for more than 3 months. The infections come just before visits resume from mainland China in November after a pause of more than two and partial years.
All 700,000 Macau citizens will be required to undergo immediate antigen screening for COVID daily from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Macau’s government said in a statement that made no mention of MGM’s shutdown.
Macau casinos have lost millions of dollars a month due to coronavirus restrictions, as the special administrative region follows China’s “zero dynamic COVID” policy, which aims to curb all outbreaks.
Macau’s six casino operators (Sands China, Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment, MGM China, Melco Resorts, and SJM Holdings) are lately awaiting a government resolution to obtain new licenses.
Macau leaders said the resolution could come as soon as this week.