Coverage of Prevention and Control Zone (“Red Code” Zone and “Yellow Code” Zone)
The Macao SAR Government enacted immediately a district- and risk-specific epidemic prevention and control mechanism, after the recent identification of new COVID-19 cases in the city. A closed-loop management system has now been imposed in the infection control zones in a bid to promptly limit the spread of the disease in the community, and in order to ensure free movement of people between Macao and mainland China is unaffected.
Under the district- and risk-specific epidemic prevention and control mechanism, all affected areas will be labelled as either ‘red’ or ‘yellow’ according to their respective risk level. ‘Red’ districts (‘prevention and control zones’) are considered the highest risk sectors for new COVID-19 infections and are subject to a closed-loop management system; while ‘yellow’ districts (‘joint management zones’) are considered relatively high risk sectors, and are subject to strict management measures by local authorities.
At present, the areas that have been considered ‘prevention and control zones’ are: Mei Lin Building, home to a family of four that tested positive for COVID-19, and three adjacent residential blocks; and a grocery store where the mother of the concerned family works, plus the adjacent shops and one adjacent residential building. These areas have been sealed off, and people living there must undergo a total of three nucleic acid tests on site (to be done every other day). No one is allowed to leave the concerned areas until further notice.
As part of the closed-loop management system, provisions are being supplied to people living in the ‘prevention and control zones’. People affected by the lockdown may be transferred to a suitable place for medical observation if required.
The ‘yellow’ zone label has been applied to five residential blocks located in the vicinity of the ‘red’ zones. People living there have had their respective health code – as issued by the Macao Health Code system – changed to ‘yellow’ colour; they also had to undergo nucleic acid testing at Kiang Wu Hospital within 24 hours of the implementation of the epidemic control mechanism. People living in a ‘yellow’ zone cannot leave Macao and are required to closely monitor their own health for at least 14 days.
The above district- and risk-specific epidemic prevention and control mechanism has been prepared by the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre in accordance with scientific advice and under the principle of “preventing imported cases and stopping re-emergence of local cases”. It is aimed at curbing the potential spread of the novel coronavirus in the community by effective assessment of risk levels and implementation of a closed-loop management system in high-risk areas, in order to safeguard the health of the general public.
